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In our city known for sunshine and rhythm, Miami recently played host to a different kind of energy, one rooted in purpose, urgency, and hope. The Coalition to Empower Our Future (CEF) gathered an impressive group of minds and hearts for a national roundtable dedicated to one of the most pressing issues of our time: the youth mental health crisis.<\/p>\n
The roundtable drew policymakers, clinicians, educators, and nonprofit leaders from across the country, each bringing their perspective on how to better support young people struggling with anxiety, depression, and loneliness in an increasingly complex world.<\/p>\n
Carlos Curbelo\u00a0co-moderated the discussion alongside CEF Executive Director\u00a0Glen Weiner, guiding an exchange that called for bold, collaborative action. Both underscored that the youth mental health crisis cannot be solved with quick fixes or piecemeal programs, it demands a united front.<\/p>\n
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Carlos Curbelo<\/p>\n
Recent data shared by CEF underscores that urgency. According to the organization\u2019s research,\u00a080 percent of Florida voters and parents\u00a0believe that addressing youth mental health requires a comprehensive, multi-layered approach, \u00a0not just surface-level policies like screen time limits. Nearly\u00a0seven in ten respondents\u00a0said young people still struggle to access the help they need.<\/p>\n
Nationally, the statistics are equally sobering:\u00a0one in five teens\u00a0show signs of anxiety, nearly\u00a020 percent\u00a0report depressive symptoms, and more than\u00a0a third\u00a0say loneliness affects their daily lives. These realities set the tone for an afternoon of honest, solution-oriented conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know coming from a place of fear is not motivating to youth or to families,\u201d said\u00a0Nicole Owings-Fonner, Director of the American Academy of Pediatrics\u2019 National Center on Social Media and Youth Mental Health. \u201cSo, really thinking about this in a way that\u2019s solutions-focused, that\u2019s evidence-based, and that meets families where they are.\u201d<\/p>\n
The panel included leaders from the\u00a0Children\u2019s Bereavement Center, the\u00a0Mental Health Association of Central Florida, and\u00a0Miami-Dade County Public Schools\u2019 Office of Mental Health Services, among others. Together, they explored policy, prevention, and community-level solutions to help strengthen resilience among children and teens.<\/p>\n
One of the more poignant moments came from\u00a0Dr. Howard Pratt, Behavioral Health Medical Director and Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist with Community Health of South Florida. \u201cI hope kids don\u2019t ever need to walk into my office; that\u2019s the best thing,\u201d he said. \u201cKids do their best when everyone\u2019s on the same page when the family is accepting and supportive, and when there\u2019s collaboration on our side as providers.\u201d<\/p>\n
Attendees also discussed Florida\u2019s standing in national data specifically a\u00a0JAMA Network Open\u00a0analysis ranking the state\u00a049th in the nation for calls per capita to the 988 suicide prevention and mental health hotline. The number served as a sobering reminder of the need for better awareness and stronger community engagement around available resources.<\/p>\n
Despite the weight of the topic, the day was filled with optimism. The conversation highlighted innovation, empathy, and the belief that real change begins when communities come together.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor my hometown of Miami to host this gathering in my home state of Florida, where there is such tremendous need it\u2019s a great privilege,\u201d said Curbelo in closing. \u201cWe\u2019ve covered so much, but there\u2019s so much more to do. Our young people are looking to us for guidance, and this was a meaningful step in that direction.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the room emptied, one thing was clear: the Coalition to Empower Our Future isn\u2019t just starting a conversation \u00a0it\u2019s helping lead a movement to ensure every young person has the support and strength they need to thrive.<\/p>\n
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