Boys & Girls Clubs of America, in collaboration with Kohl’s, hosted a mental health panel in Atlanta on Saturday, June 29, to discussion challenges young people face. The event featured actor and musician Jacob Latimore, along with youth from Atlanta-area Boys & Girls Clubs. This panel was apart of the National Boys & Girls Club Week celebrations and provided a platform for young people to engage in open, authentic conversations about mental health challenges and successes experienced within different communities. “Everyone has mental health — what Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Kohl’s are doing to foster discussions on mental health within communities is truly admirable,” said Latimore. “Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s goal to create a safe and intimate environment where young people can openly and honestly discuss their feelings about the issues they’re facing represents a paradigm shift in our culture. With everything going on in the world, it’s easy for young people to feel overwhelmed. If they’re feeling anxious, stuck, alone, depressed or just lost, they should know there are people here to help them move forward.” The mental health panel, which was live-streamed and is available on Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s YouTube channel, gave attendees the opportunity to meet and talk with local teens about the importance of wellness while learning from the critically acclaimed actor of “The Chi” about his own experiences and passion for mental health awareness. Kohl’s, a longtime partner of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, has played a pivotal role in providing support for trauma-informed training and facilitating open discussions about mental health among teens around the country. With a focus on positive social and emotional development, Kohl’s is working with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to ensure Club staff have the resources, training and tools they need to help this generation reach their full potential. “We know it’s important for kids and teens to know they’re not alone in feeling their emotions,” said Kate Endries, National Director of Trauma Informed Practice at Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “Together, we can normalize talking about mental health and help young people navigate their emotions in healthy, lasting ways.” “Mental health is an important issue for us all and a cornerstone of Kohl’s philanthropic work, including through our partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America,” said Tara Geiter, Kohl’s director of community relations. “We’re proud to support events like this to help provide more resources to youth nationwide and raise awareness for the challenges kids are facing today.” The impact of this mental health discussion panel offers a platform for open dialogue, reducing stigma and encouraging kids and teens to share their experiences and learn from mental health professionals. Ultimately, these discussions foster a culture of empathy and understanding with the goal of empowering our youth with the knowledge and tools to manage their mental well-being effectively. For more information on the partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Kohl’s please visit BGCA.org. The post Boys & Girls Clubs of America hosted youth mental health panel in Atlanta appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.