Youth commission reboots speaker series with mental-health and resiliency options

The Youth Commission discussed reviving a speaker series during its March 3 meeting, with members proposing topics and potential guests focused on youth mental health, resiliency and digital-safety.

A committee member recommended Ben Speaks, a suicide-prevention nonprofit, as a potential speaker and offered to gather information. Members also suggested inviting a local pediatrician (the district physician was identified by staff as Dr. Safdar Medina) or a school psychologist to address middle-school mental-health needs and body-image concerns.

Another member proposed a SAFER Technology representative to discuss screen time and device use in schools, while others suggested resiliency and growth-mindset presenters for parent workshops and practical tools for caregivers. The group debated whether the series should primarily inform commission members or be expanded into community-facing workshops; most agreed the monthly speakers would start by educating commission members, with the option to scale successful talks to the public.

Members agreed to research candidates (including contacting Ben Speaks and local clinicians) and bring recommendations to the next meeting. No speaker engagements were scheduled on the spot and no contract or funding actions were taken.