We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue our vital work with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) educators and counselors, having facilitated three impactful sessions on November 5, 2024, as part of their professional development day.
Statistics on Youth Mental Health
Youth mental well-being is deeply influenced by social connections, and recent trends are alarming. In 2003, young people (ages 15-24) spent an average of 150 minutes per day with friends. By 2021, this dropped to just 45 minutes. Unfortunately, since 2021, we’ve seen nearly a two-fold increase in suicide, self-poisoning, major depression, and depressive symptoms across all age groups. These stark statistics highlight the critical importance of supporting youth and their families in every way we can.
MDCPS ENGAGE Leadership Conference
Claire and Nikolas had the privilege of connecting with MDCPS educators and school mental health counselors at the 2024 ENGAGE Leadership Conference. During this session, participants reflected on their personal experiences and shared their commitment to creating supportive spaces for their students. Together, we explored how extreme gender stereotyping and expectations can hinder student academic success and discussed best practices for fostering inclusivity in the classroom.
Here’s what participants shared:
“Social and cultural expectations about gender shape our life experiences, starting even before we’re born. This presentation was powerful!”
“I learned so much new information, and it really opened my eyes to things I hadn’t understood before.”
“I now have a clearer understanding of the impact of gender norms on youth, especially in early engagement.”
United Teachers of Dade (UTD) Conference
Rodolfo and Tony had an engaging session with United Teachers of Dade (UTD) members at the “Supporting LGBTQ Students and Teachers in Florida: What You Need to Know” training. This session was a deep dive into practical strategies for building inclusive and positive learning environments within the parameters of current legislation. Participants gained tools for fostering meaningful conversations and resolving conflicts in a way that supports all students.
Here’s some of the feedback from UTD participants:
“I feel so much more informed about the new legislation and its impact on students. I didn’t realize how much I didn’t know before this session.”
“The session clarified a lot about the Parental Rights in Education Act for me.”
“I gained valuable insights on how to navigate situations with LGBTQ students.”
“I learned about the extension of HB 1557, and it provided me with much-needed clarity.”
Division of Student Services Conference
The 2024 Division of Student Services conference theme was Connecting for Student Success. Joseph led two breakout sessions titled, “Impact on Gender Stereotypes on Academic and Mental Health Outcomes”.
We posed the question: What additional support would help you and your colleagues in creating safe environments? The answers were both insightful and motivating:
“More collaboration between schools would be beneficial.”
“Fostering positive listening skills and empathy is key.”
Our Mission
To prevent suicide and ensure healthy development of all youth, through powerful communication and education on gender and orientation.
If you or your organization would like to learn more or partner with us to support your community, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We’d love to collaborate with you!