We asked participants at our Youth Symposium what gives them hope for the future. Here is what they shared:
“Having conversations with fired-up, ambitious, kind, young doers. Speaking to peers that are avidly pushing for positive change, using their voice for the greater good, and consistently improving themselves is incredibly inspiring and always reinforces the idea that Gen Z will make this world a better place for all.” —Anastasia Vlasova, This is my Brave Teens
“A sunset or a sunrise. When you witness a beautiful start to a day or the ending of one, you can’t help but be filled with an overwhelming sense of appreciation that leaves an imprint of hope right on your heart! I like to call them, GOD MOMENTS.” —Britt Turpack, NAMI Westside Los Angeles
“Seeing young people in my generation more hopeful and more motivated to fight for mental health justice gives me hope for the future. This is because I know that energy to fight for better access to mental healthcare and more awareness around vulnerable people translates into other causes and overall improves the state of the world we live in.” —Crystal Widado, Glendora High School’s NAMI on Campus High School “NAMI Healthy Minds” Club
“The allcove Youth Advisory Group (YAG) gives me hope for the future because I know quality mental health services will be present in my community where mental illness has been prominent.” —Emily W., allcove Youth Advisory Group (YAG)
“I am most hopeful when brainstorming with youth, peers, and friends.” —Evanne Torrecillas, NAMI Sacramento
“I find hope in who I will be in the future and what will be able to do. It is hard to imagine who exactly I will be, but that is what gives me hope. The endless possibilities about who I will become and the impact I will have.” —Isabelle L., allcove Youth Advisory Group (YAG)
“My hope is in the promise of eternal life with the One who created me. My work with youth give me hope — they see the world so differently than I did, and have so much more knowledge available to them. Their generation will do great things… They have the WILL… they have the DRIVE.. they are all CHAMPIONS for CHANGE!” —Kym Barber, Stanislaus County Office of Education
“The kindness and spreading of joy that I see everyday around me gives me hope for the future. This can be friends giving each other compliments, strangers helping others when they fall, people celebrating accomplishments, or little kids smiling at you. Those moments that lift people’s spirits reassure me that the future will be okay and no matter what difficulties you face, there will always be little moments of happiness that help you through the hard times.” —Ria R., allcove Youth Advisory Group (YAG)
“Hope is found is hearing our society talk more about mental health and suicide prevention.” —Stan Collins, Directing Change
“Our youth, who are our leaders of today, give me a sense of relief that we are in good hands. Youth have power it just needs to be unleashed!” —Yammilette “Yami” Rodriguez, Youth Leadership Institute