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This June, we focus on the healing of human connection and the importance of creating space for all youth and young adults to feel seen, heard, and supported. Whether it's encouraging young men to prioritize their mental health, spotlighting the transformative work of Only7Seconds, or uplifting youth voices through storytelling, each article in this issue speaks to a shared mission: ensuring no young person feels alone.
We also highlight meaningful actions from learning about Family Initiated Treatment, participating in webinars, to discovering resources for cultural empowerment and support.
We hope this issue inspires compassion, conversation, and community.
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A word from our partners at Only7Seconds
Meaningful connection is not just a human need but a transformative force. In a world where many young people feel unseen, unheard, and unsupported, Only7Seconds is committed to fostering authentic relationships that remind them they are never alone. Loneliness, especially among youth, is a growing public health crisis with serious implications on mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. Through true, intentional connection, however, we are changing that narrative.
With hope as our thread and connection as our passion, we create spaces and opportunities for youth where genuine bonds are formed that uplift, encourage, and bring healing. Whether through conversation, community, or shared experiences, we cultivate a sense of belonging that empowers young people to thrive.
This work is not ours alone. It is a shared mission that calls each of us to show up with compassion, empathy, and love. We invite you to unite with us in building a world where no youth wanders through life alone. Every gesture of kindness, every intentional interaction, and every effort to truly see and support someone adds to the collective movement for change.
Join us in this powerful social health movement that spurs true connection and becomes a lifestyle, not just a moment. Together, we can nurture joy and love from within and around us, sparking a ripple effect that reaches far beyond ourselves. This is how we fashion a connected generation, and generations to come, where youth feel safe, valued, and seen.
Today, it can take 7 seconds to meaningfully, intentionally connect with someone you care about. Reach out. Send a text. Dial a phone number. Connect with someone.
True connection isn’t just a solution to loneliness; it’s a tool that transforms lives.
Only7Seconds provides resources, such as parents guides to lonely teenagers, curriculum for classrooms, and clubs for communities and youth.
Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, marks the day in 1865 when the last enslaved people in the U.S. were told they were free more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It’s a powerful reminder of both liberation and the long journey toward justice. For youth, young adults, and families, from pregnancy through age 25, Juneteenth invites us to reflect not only on history, but on the present-day systems and beliefs that still impact equity and well-being.
One of these is implicit bias or the attitudes or stereotypes we hold unconsciously that affect how we treat others. Whether it's in classrooms, clinics, or communities, implicit bias can shape how people are seen, supported, and served. It can affect how people dedicated to supporting Black and Brown youth may impact their access and quality of care along with opportunities that support mental and emotional wellness.
By and taking action to unlearn it, we help build a future where every young person can thrive. Juneteenth is not just a day to celebrate freedom, it's a call to commit to learning, understanding and equity all year long.
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SB 5361 delays 4th edition ASAM adoption to January 2028. Training is funded through June 2025. Clinicians should continue quality improvement efforts and stay engaged in planning and feedback opportunities.
FIT allows parents or caregivers to help their youth (ages 13-17) access mental health care. FIT is designed to support youth in crisis and bridge the gap between family support and professional care.
June 25 at 10 a.m.
This webinar centers the experiences of Black women while providing essential knowledge on HIV prevention, early detection, and harm reduction. Participants will explore how stigma, systemic inequities, and healthcare disparities uniquely impact Black women and why addressing these issues benefits the health of entire communities.
By lifting up the voices of those most affected, the webinar offers practical tools for reducing risk, improving access to affirming care, and advocating for sexual health equity. Whether you're seeking to empower yourself, better support others, or be part of a more informed and compassionate health system, this session provides meaningful insight for everyone.
Join us to learn, reflect, and take action toward a more equitable future.
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Every young person has a story and when those stories are heard, healing begins. Storytelling is a powerful tool in behavioral health, helping youth process their experiences, build resilience, and connect with others who share similar journeys.
In Washington, community partners and youth-led programs are creating safe spaces where young people can share openly through spoken word, digital media, peer groups, and art. These expressions remind youth that their voice matters, their identity is valid, and they are not alone in their struggles.
This June, we encourage caregivers, educators, and community leaders to center youth voices in conversations about mental health. Ask questions, listen without judgment, and celebrate the courage it takes to speak up.
It's possible to transform silence into strength and stigma into support. When youth are seen and heard, they are empowered to imagine brighter futures and seek support to help build them.
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June marks Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month; a time for young men in Washington to focus on their emotional well-being. As rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide continue to rise among men under 50, building awareness and fostering connection is more important than ever.
What can you do this month:
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Start the conversation: Checking in with friends can make a big difference your support might be exactly what they need.
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Practice self-care: Simple activities like walking, journaling, or unplugging from social media can help manage stress and boost mental well-being.
Local support for young men in Washington:
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HearMeWA: Call, text, or visit online for anonymous peer support for young people up to age 25.
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Seattle Youth Services (ages 13–24): Offers free or low-cost counseling, available both in-person and virtually.
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988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text anytime for free, confidential 24/7 support for mental health or emotional crises.
Your next move:
Reach out to a friend, join a group, or call on of the hotlines. Your mental health matters; not just this June, but every day.
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Reclaiming Two-Spirits by by Gregory D. Smithers is an illuminating exploration of Indigenous gender and sexual traditions. Drawing on history, archaeology, art, and oral testimony, Smithers celebrates resilience and resurgence, offering a powerful reclamation of spiritual and cultural sovereignty.
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