DDPHE hosts over 300 students at We Got This! Summit

Published in: Denver News

Published on November 09, 2023

The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) is providing tools for Denver’s youth to improve their mental health through a series of events focused on coping skills and ways to live a mentally healthy lifestyle. We Got This, DDPHE’s youth-focused mental health programming will be hosting events in middle and high schools during the spring semester in 2024 and recently hosted its annual day-long summit dedicated to bringing students together to discuss mental health.

We Got This programming is designed for middle and high school students and provides access to resources including coping skills, therapy options and community help to support youth suicide and violence prevention. A key component of the program includes helping youth build relationships with their peers that encourage open, honest dialogue and educate students on how to access help if a family member, friend or classmate, might be struggling or need assistance.

2023 We Got This! Youth Mental Health Summit

DDPHE, in partnership with Denver Public Schools (DPS) and community partners, hosted the second annual: We Got This! Youth Mental Health Summit– a day for youth to talk about youth mental health. Over 300 local students attended the summit in October at the Auraria Campus, in the Tivoli Student Union.

The annual summit is an opportunity to recognize and address the stress of being a young person today. Through a series of breakout sessions, hands-on activities, and group discussions, We Got This! aims to provide a platform for Denver’s highschoolers (grade 9-12) to have an open dialogue about mental health challenges. View photos from the 2023 summit here.

Upcoming 2024 We Got This events

In 2024, DDPHE plans to continue this work by hosting a third annual We Got This! Youth Mental Health Summit, eight middle and high school We Got This school-based events and a second annual Teens and Screens event focused on youth and social media.

The We Got This! Summit is funded through Denver’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation included in Mayor Hancock’s 2022 budget. Denver must allocate ARPA local relief funds, totaling $308 million, by the end of 2024 and spend them by the end of 2026. The city solicited and received feedback from over 12,000 residents, Denver City Council, city agencies, the Mayor’s Stimulus Advisory Committee, and the Mayor’s Economic Recovery Council to inform the use of the city’s ARPA allocation. Additionally, more can be seen about progress on the programs in Denver's regularly updated American Rescue Plan Funding Dashboard and story map.

DDPHE’s suicide prevention response strives to remove barriers, improve systems, and advocate for change, while promoting equity in the care system. If you are, or someone you know is, in need of confidential and immediate mental health, substance use, or emotional help, please visit Colorado Crisis Services online, call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text "TALK" to 38255 to be connected to a crisis counselor or trained professional with a master's or doctoral degree.

News via denvergov.org

https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Public-Health-Environment/News/2023/Denvers-We-Got-This-Initiative-Offers-Continued-Support-for-Youth-Mental-Health

from Jobs in Denver http://denverdonate.com/denver-news/ddphe-hosts-over-300-students-at-we-got-this-summit
via Field Guide for Homeless Veterans