CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) – March 2 is recognized nationally as World Teen Mental Wellness Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the mental and emotional well-being of young people. This year, West Virginia is taking that recognition a step further.
In response to growing concerns about teen mental health across the state, Governor Patrick Morrisey has proclaimed March 2-6 as Teen Mental Health Awareness Week in West Virginia. The proclamation marks the first time in state history that West Virginia has recognized a full week dedicated to teen mental health through a coordinated statewide campaign focused on awareness, education and prevention.
“Teen mental health is one of the most urgent issues facing communities across West Virginia,” said Julie Gomez, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in West Virginia. “We are grateful to Governor Morrisey, our First Lady Denise Morrisey and our partners for recognizing the importance of this moment and for helping elevate awareness for the next generation of leaders.”
The statewide initiative, led by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in West Virginia in partnership with the YMCA Alliance of West Virginia, the state’s leading provider of childcare, after-school programs, and youth development services, is titled “Why We Talk.” The campaign highlights the importance of early, open conversations around mental health, recognizing that adolescents are still developing critical decision-making skills and rely on trusted adults for perspective and support during challenging moments.
Teen Mental Health Awareness Week will officially launch Monday, March 2, with a 10:30 a.m. press conference in the Governor’s Reception Room at the West Virginia State Capitol, where First Lady Denise Morrisey will present the Governor’s Proclamation recognizing the week statewide. A longtime champion of health initiatives across West Virginia, the First Lady continues to emphasize the importance of investing in the next generation.
“When we invest in the mental health of our teens, we invest in the future of the Mountain State,” said First Lady Denise Morrisey. “Teen Mental Health Awareness Week is an important opportunity to elevate awareness, encourage conversation and ensure young people across West Virginia know they are supported and not alone.”
At 11:30 a.m., NAMI in West Virginia will convene a Teen Mental Health reception in the Governor’s Cabinet Room, bringing together community mental health providers, educators, nonprofit organizations, youth-serving partners and state leaders for an opportunity to network and share current effective programs and new innovative ideas for teen mental health awareness, prevention efforts and access to support across West Virginia.
Throughout Teen Mental Health Awareness Week, NAMI in West Virginia will offer a series of in-person and virtual trainings for the adults who work closely with teens every day, including YMCA leadership teams, coaches, childcare and after-school providers. As the state’s leading provider of childcare and after-school programming, the YMCA Alliance of West Virginia plays a critical role in the initiative, with staff and coaches often serving as trusted adults for teens in schools, gyms and community settings.
Teen Mental Health Awareness Week will also include a virtual introductory training on Thursday, March 5 from 11:00 to 11:45 a.m. hosted by NAMI in West Virginia. The session will provide an overview of NAMI in WV, highlight resources and NAMI signature programming available through the campaign and outline opportunities for schools and community organizations to schedule in-person NAMI trainings. The virtual training and digital toolkit will be shared statewide with county school districts, guidance counselors and student support professionals, expanding access to resources and training at the local level.
To support the statewide effort, a comprehensive digital toolkit will be available throughout Teen Mental Health Awareness Week at teenmentalhealthwv.org, offering downloadable and printable resources, conversation guides and information about available trainings. The toolkit is designed for educators, families, youth-serving organizations and community members to use locally and throughout the year.
NAMI West Virginia encourages parents, educators, coaches and community leaders to take part in Teen Mental Health Awareness Week and to continue fostering open conversations and supportive environments for teens well beyond the week itself.
