SPRING LAKE, N.C. (WTVD) — Community advocates and mental health experts gathered at Fayetteville Technical Community College’s Spring Lake campus on Wednesday morning for a workshop focused on youth mental health, offering practical strategies for parents and caregivers to recognize early warning signs and support young people in need.
The event, hosted by Spring Lake Family Support Services and led by Alliance Mental Health, drew college students, counselors, and community members for Youth Mental Health First Aid Training. The location was significant, organizers said, because access remains a barrier for many in Spring Lake, where there is no public transportation.
During the training, instructors emphasized the importance of spotting behavioral, emotional, and appearance changes in youth ages 12 to 18.
Deborah Kinney, community education specialist with Alliance Health, told attendees, “We know today society, our youth are struggling. You know, they are impacted with so many different challenges in life. And we want them to have the tools, you know, to be able to reach out and ask for help.”
Participants learned that depression and anxiety are among the most common challenges young people face.
Alliance Health reports that 8.7% of young people will be diagnosed with a depressive disorder at some point in their lives, and 8.3% will be diagnosed with anxiety. According to a 2023 CDC report, 40% of high school students have felt persistently sad or hopeless, and 20% have seriously considered suicide.
Arely Vazquez, another education specialist with Alliance Health, urged adults to “be aware of behavior changes, sometimes emotional changes, sometimes even appearance, and how a youth appears.”
Social media’s influence was also a key topic.
Kinney noted, “We definitely know that social media does have, it can affect mental health. You know, youth that use social media have a higher percentage of mental health symptoms. Just because youth are able to see things on their phone, and that they’re comparing themselves to other lifestyles of other influencers that they follow.”-
Tamia Brantley, a Fayetteville State University senior training to become a counselor, said the class helped break stigma and highlighted the impact of language.
“Your wording, it really matters,” Brantley said. “Simply saying, oh, yeah, this child needs help. That’s something that other children hear. Now she’s telling the other child that this child needs help and things like that. I just learned that the wording really matters.”
The eight-hour course not only provided valuable tools but also helped communities such as Spring Lake, where transportation can be a barrier, bring resources directly to families.
Deborah Hudson, CEO of Spring Lake Family Support Services, said, “Education is key with anything that we do. So my hope is to continue to educate the community on how important it is to watch for the signs, especially when our children aren’t talking.”
Experts recommend parents create open lines of communication and safe spaces for their children, as well as reduce screen time at night and prioritize family activities.
Cumberland County Community Resources
Spring Lake Family Support Services
(910) 222-8787
https://www.thekinseyhouse.org/ TARGET=”_blank” REL=”nofollow”
Alliance Health – (800) 510-9132
Cumberland County Mental Health
Call for help with behavioral health care needs for individuals with Medicaid or the uninsured with mental health challenges, substance use, developmental disabilities, or traumatic brain injury.
RI International – Cumberland County Recovery Response Center
1724 Roxie Ave.
(910) 778-5900
Individuals 18 years and older can access the program if they need behavioral or mental health support and treatment.
Fayetteville Comprehensive Treatment Center
572 Executive Place
(910) 378-340
This program offers outpatient treatment for adults 18 years and older in need of substance use treatment.
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