An Interview with LFCC's Youth Mental Health In & Outreach Team Leaders

By Dr. Monica Greene-Smalls

Elder Tia Turner & Sister Sheri-Ann Little

What strengths have you observed among the youth at LFCC?

Our LFCC youth are very intelligent, self-aware, honest and transparent, empathetic, compassionate, resilient and articulate.

What are some of the mental health challenges facing our LFCC youth in particular?

There are a wide range of challenges including, but not limited to: self-harm, suicidal ideation, anxiety, depression, acceptance, comparison, verbal and emotional abuse, and addictions.

In what ways can the LFCC body assist and support our youth in dealing with these challenges?

Share! Continually share the event information with friends, family, classmates, neighbors, and coworkers. Invite them. Attend with them. The mental health of our youth is crucial; it does not exist in a bubble. If the enemy can distort or corrupt their minds, he can achieve massive damage that impacts us all - them, their families, our communities, and the Body of Christ. When we show up for them, it shows how much we love them and care about all facets of their well-being.

Please tell us about some of the exciting plans for the Youth Mental Health In & Outreach Team in 2024?

The next event will take place in the Spring, March 2024. The focus topic will be Trauma and Healing from Trauma. This is an important topic for our youth as we understand many adults still haven’t healed from traumatic experiences in their youth. Dealing with past trauma is important to recovering and healing both mentally and emotionally. For anyone who has experienced any sort of trauma — such as abuse, assault, the death of a loved one, illness, or anything else — and they’re having a difficult time healing, this summit may be a tremendous help to them.