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Apr 2, 2025
Special Projects & Educational Initiatives

City, RCSD to host mental health and substance abuse youth forum April 12 at School of the Arts

Web graphic for upcoming menthal health and substance abuse youth forum.

The City of Rochester and Rochester City School District invite youth ages 12 to 21 and their parents or guardians to a forum on mental health and substance abuse at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, at the School of the Arts, 45 Prince St. RSVP for the free event at CityofRochester.gov/YouthForum. 

Youth in attendance can share their perspectives, questions, concerns, and hopes for our community with their peers in a panel discussion, and both youth and adults will have opportunities to learn about mental health and substance abuse issues and resources in workshops and breakout sessions. Lunch will be provided.

“Many of the challenges we have in our city and country are increasingly tied to mental health,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “With this forum, as well as through our ongoing work in the mental health space, we are striving to equip young adults with the tools they need for positive growth and development. Parents and guardians provide critical support for our young people, and so we invite them to join us in this effort as well.” 

"Supporting the mental health of our students is essential to their success in school and life. When we create a safe space for open conversations about the challenges our children face, those challenges become more manageable,” said Interim Superintendent Dr. Demario Strickland. “This forum provides an opportunity to engage young people and their families in meaningful discussions on mental health and substance abuse, ensuring they have access to the resources and support they need to navigate these issues."

The event was created in collaboration with the RCSD My Brother’s Keeper Fellows and is organized by the Mayor’s Office of Special Projects and Educational Initiatives and the Rochester City School District with support from the City of Rochester My Brother’s Keeper program, Teen Empowerment, The Center for Youth, In Control, Planned Parenthood, and BreatheDeep, Inc.

For any questions, contact the Mayor’s Office of Special Projects and Educational Initiatives at 585-428-7192.