The rate of mental illness among youth is increasing. One city organization works to spread awareness about the importance of mental health through the Emotional and Mental Understanding (EMU) Campaign.
LaMarr Davis II is a consultant for the Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY) and the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council encounters teens who are not staying silent about issues concerning them.
“This generation speaks up a little bit more and wants to have say a little bit more than previous generations have.”
Davis says although teens are willing to talk, at times, there is a roadblock to productive discussion.
“They have a lot of concerns but one of them is communication. Not only that they’re being heard sometimes, but the communication is just not understanding.”
The campaign is Sunday at Riverside Park and will feature speakers to motivate and inspire youth. Businesses and organizations will also gather to discuss the impact of mental illness.
