This week, I had the privilege of presenting on a panel for a Black mental health summit alongside my fellow co-authors of Life Is A Battle but We Will Win. The summit centered around resilience, healing, and collaboration across communities — mothers, men, caregivers, and youth.

As a population health leader, dietitian, youth advocate, and ally, I believe our responsibility is not simply to ask people to be more resilient — it is to build communities, systems, and spaces that address the root causes impacting mental health in the first place.

My portion of the conversation focused on adolescent athletes and their unique mental health experiences. Athletes are often taught to push through physical pain. Unfortunately, that mindset can sometimes extend to emotional pain too. While sports can build confidence, discipline, and resilience, they can also create pressure, perfectionism, identity struggles, and isolation when mental health challenges are left unseen.

One statistic shared during the summit stopped the room: suicide is one of the leading causes of preventable death among NCAA athletes. That is not okay.

But here is what is okay:
It is okay to not be okay.

For Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to move beyond simply talking about mental health and instead create space for honest conversation within my own home. So I asked my children three simple questions:

1. Why is mental health important?
2. What has been your experience with mental health?
3. What words of wisdom would you share with other youth?

Their responses were raw, insightful, vulnerable, hopeful, and wise beyond their years. And honestly? I think we have a lot to learn from them.

“Your feelings matter.”

Mental health matters because it affects the way we see the world, ourselves, and other people. Sometimes people cannot see mental health struggles on the outside, but that does not make them any less real. I watch my friends struggle silently especially when painful experiences are brought up by others who do not realize the impact their words can have.

Their message to other youth was simple but powerful: “Keep your head up. You got this. There are people there for you.”

Sometimes the most healing thing a young person can hear is- You are not alone.

“Mental blocks don’t define you.”

One of my children bravely shared their experience with OCD, anxiety, and a severe mental block. What began as fear during competition slowly unraveled into something much bigger.

There are tears. Frustration. Fear. Questions. Therapy. Prayer. Patience. Healing.

Eventually, through support, treatment, faith, and perseverance, I began reclaiming confidence little by little. Today, I’ doing skills I once thought were impossible. I try to encourage others to, “Work hard. Trust the process. Dreams really can come true.”

And perhaps most importantly, mental health struggles do not define you. They are experiences that deserve support, compassion, and care.

“Finding the right support matters.”

Another child shared their experience navigating anxiety, ADHD, and depression.

I used to cry every night, feeling overwhelmed, and eventually realized that something bigger was going on. I started working with a therapy. The first therapist was kind but not the right one for me. The second therapist is an art and play therapist. We play games, get creative and connect through art. This built trust and a bond that changed everything.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health support.

Healing can look like conversation.
Or movement.
Or medication.
Or art.
Or faith.
Or community.
Or all of the above.

They also wanted to call out the impact of screen time and sleep on mental wellbeing.

“Sleep is so important and the blue light from screens (especially before bed) can make it worse.”

“Sometimes you just need to find your people.”

One of my children was diagnosed with anxiety at six years old and later with ADHD.

I got diagnosed with anxiety when I was six and later with ADHD. I had to try a bunch of different medicines until we found the right combo. It took awhile but when we did it was so good. It helps me a lot.

They also emphasized the importance of trusted relationships: friends, counselors, and safe adults who make you feel understood instead of judged.

Their words were beautifully simple: “Never underestimate yourself. Sometimes you just need to find your people.”

There is so much wisdom in that. Connection matters. Belonging matters. Feeling safe enough to be yourself matters.

“Don’t struggle alone.”

The final response was short, honest, and deeply important.

Mental health is a “touchy topic.” It is something many people still struggle to discuss openly. Keeping everything bottled up only makes the burden heavier.

Their advice: “Talk to somebody you trust and find ways to help yourself so you’re not struggling alone.”

That’s it right there. Not struggling alone. Not carrying invisible pain in silence. Not believing you have to earn support by reaching a breaking point first.

What I Hope We Learn From Young People

What stood out most to me throughout these conversations was not weakness.
It was awareness. Insight. Emotional intelligence. Honesty. Hope.

Our youth are navigating enormous pressures:
Academic pressure.
Athletic pressure.
Social media.
Loneliness.
Comparison culture.
Identity development.
Fear of failure.
Fear of not belonging.

And yet, they continue showing up every day trying to figure out who they are and where they fit in this world.

Mental health conversations cannot begin only once someone is in crisis. We must create homes, schools, healthcare systems, teams, and communities where emotional wellbeing is normalized, supported, and protected proactively – not reactively.

So here is my invitation to you: Ask someone you love about their mental health.
Listen without fixing.
Create space without judgment.
Help people feel seen, heard, valued, and safe.

Sometimes one conversation really can save a life.

If you’re interested in learning more about my next book – Life is a battle but we will win – tune into this virtual book launch on May 28.

You can learn more and register for the free event here. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AAGm5qPKQCi92lUX3-wNTw

Or, Pre-order your copy today!