NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s Youth Mental Health Conference offered a meaningful day of connection, learning, and reflection for the GJR team.

For Maranda Addison, Secure Programs Director, the experience became personal from the very beginning. The first family she met at the conference was from Stop the Judgment, an organization founded after the loss of their daughter in 2020. That first interaction immediately shaped how she experienced the rest of the day.

Maranda shared, “This was the first family/table I met at the conference and changed my mindset for the entire day.”

She was also deeply moved by the youth panel, especially hearing from Ms. Emily, a senior at Allderdice High School and the youngest speaker on the panel. The group ranged from high school students to college-aged young adults, and their honesty and insight left a lasting impression.

Maranda reflected that “the wisdom of those on that panel were well beyond their years.” Since the conference, Emily has continued organizing additional speaking events focused specifically on youth mental health. As she prepares to continue her education at Slippery Rock University, Maranda hopes to stay in contact and continue following her advocacy journey.

For Haile Martin, Grant Writer, and Miley Duong, Development Director, one of the most valuable takeaways was the conference’s informative breakout sessions, where leading youth mental health providers shared their responses to some of the most pressing issues facing young people today. Those sessions reinforced the importance of continued learning, collaboration, and thoughtful responses to the evolving needs of youth and families.

Together, these experiences highlighted both sides of the conference’s impact: the power of personal storytelling and the value of professional insight. Throughout the day, the team was surrounded by people committed to making a difference in the world of mental health and in the lives of youth. This shared commitment made the conference not only informative but deeply inspiring.