Strong Minds, Bright Futures: A Partnership For Child Mental Wellbeing

08/18/2026

TODAY at 4 PM: Youth voices belong in the room.

This afternoon, youth from across Pennsylvania will speak directly with 25+ state elected officials about what young people are experiencing, what support is missing, and what needs to change so help is easier to reach earlier.

Register now: strongmindsPA.org/get-involved

Governor Josh Shapiro Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Spotlight PA PA Youth Vote

07/30/2026

Jacob’s message is clear: young people should not have to wait until things get worse before adults notice they need support.

Mental health challenges do not suddenly appear in crisis. Too often, young people carry stress, pain, or overwhelm long before they get help.

Support should come sooner.

Join us at Strong Minds, Bright Futures as we work for real solutions for youth mental health across Pennsylvania.

strongmindsPA.org

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Senator Dan Laughlin

07/28/2026

Youth voice is essential to building a stronger mental health system.

This past weekend, at Youth MOVE PA’s Wellness Days, Aixa shared her lived experience and spoke openly about mental health, advocacy, and breaking stigma.

Her leadership is a powerful reminder that young people must be part of shaping the solutions intended to support them.

For Strong Minds, Bright Futures, this work is central: listening to young people, reducing barriers, and building systems where support is easier to reach before crisis.

We’re grateful to Aixa and to our partners, Youth Infusion and Youth MOVE PA, for helping create spaces where youth leadership and mental health advocacy can grow.

07/27/2026

Mental health support can start with a simple conversation.

NAMI of North Central Pennsylvania is hosting Coffee & Conversations on July 27 in Williamsport — a welcoming, stigma-free space to connect with others, learn about local NAMI support groups and resources, and talk about mental health, wellness, and community support.

Events like this help make support feel closer, more approachable, and rooted in community.

July 27 | 5:00–8:00 PM
Sweetspire Coffee & Bakery
124 E 4th St, Suite 1, Williamsport


NorthcentralPa Williamsport Sun-Gazette The Daily Item WVIA WNEP-TV 28/22 News (WBRE/WYOU) PennAEYC Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children Senator Gene Yaw

07/24/2026

If you have been moved by young people across Pennsylvania sharing what they need from our mental health system, you can now find their stories on the Strong Minds, Bright Futures YouTube channel.

Their message is clear: support needs to come earlier, help should be easier to reach, and youth voice belongs in the conversation.

Watch the videos, subscribe, and help share their message.

https://www.youtube.com/

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

07/24/2026

Pennsylvania has taken a small but important bipartisan step toward better mental health access.

Senate Bill 604 — now Act 23 of 2026 — authorizes Pennsylvania to join the Counseling Compact. The compact makes it easier for eligible professional counselors to serve clients across participating states, helping address workforce gaps in communities where there are not enough providers to meet the needs of children and families.

Families cannot get support earlier if there are not enough qualified professionals available when children need them.

This is not the full solution to Pennsylvania’s mental health workforce shortage, but it is progress toward making care easier to reach. Now we keep going.

Read more: https://counselingcompact.gov/pennsylvania-becomes-the-40th-member/

07/23/2026

Young people know what they are experiencing. They also know what support is missing.

Join Strong Minds, Bright Futures for Youth Voices, Statewide Solutions: A Pennsylvania Town Hall on Youth Mental Health.

This statewide Zoom conversation will bring youth and families from across Pennsylvania together with elected officials to discuss what young people are seeing in their communities and what needs to change so support is easier to reach earlier.

Tuesday, August 18
4:00–5:00 PM
Zoom Webinar

Register today: strongmindsPA.org/get-involved

Please share with youth, families, educators, providers, advocates, and community partners.

07/23/2026

Back-to-school is a critical time to make sure young people feel supported.

Our partners at NAMI Philadelphia and NAMI Main Line PA are hosting Mental Health Mindset, a free webinar for middle and high school students, parents, caregivers, educators, and school staff.

The event will include mental health stories, practical strategies, available resources, and guidance to help young people start the academic year with support.

Tuesday, August 11
6:00–8:00 PM
Zoom Webinar

Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/awi9Brn5S9WGfjy8x1b86Q #/registration

07/23/2026

Support is stronger when communities come together.

Our partners at Youth MOVE PA are hosting Wellness Days 2026: Strength Sparks Wellness in Wilkes-Barre as part of their sixth annual statewide celebration uplifting youth voices, expanding access to resources, and strengthening community partnerships.

This free event will bring youth, families, service providers, and community organizations together in a welcoming space focused on joy, resilience, mental health connection, and reducing stigma.

Kirby Park, Wilkes-Barre
July 25 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM

Register: https://pmhca.wildapricot.org/event-6611463