In neighborhoods across Indiana, young people are speaking out about an issue that can no longer be ignored: youth mental health. Rates of depression, anxiety, and hopelessness among teens have surged in recent years, leaving families, schools, and entire communities searching for answers. But at Amplify Your Voice, an upcoming youth-led mental health and wellness event, the answers aren’t coming from outside experts—they’re coming directly from the youth themselves.
On Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Spot, VOICES Corporation, in partnership with the City of Indianapolis’ Office of Public Health and Safety and Tamika Zapolski, Ph.D., HSPP, will host an immersive experience where young people lead conversations, share personal stories, and connect their peers with critical mental health resources.
A Crisis That Can’t Be Ignored
The statistics reveal a painful reality:
- In Indiana, nearly 1 in 4 high school students seriously considered suicide in 2021, placing the state among the highest in the nation.
- More than 30% of Hoosier students reported depressive symptoms in the last year, according to the Indiana Youth Survey.
- Nationally, the CDC reports that 42% of high school students feel persistently sad or hopeless—a record high.
- Suicide remains the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10–24.
“These numbers are not abstract—they represent the lives of young people in our schools, our neighborhoods, and often, in our own homes,” said Sam Zachrich, MSW, LSW (Temp), Director of Community Wellness at VOICES. “We can’t ignore the urgency. We must create safe spaces where youth feel heard, supported, and equipped with tools to navigate these challenges.”
Youth Leading the Way
What makes Amplify Your Voice so powerful is that it doesn’t hand young people a pre-written script—it hands them the microphone. This isn’t a lecture hall where adults talk at teens; it’s a space built by youth, for youth. From the moment the program begins, the conversations reflect what matters most to them.
On stage, panels of young leaders will speak openly about the issues they’re navigating every day, creating space for peers to feel seen and understood. Through storytelling, participants will share their journeys of resilience, shattering stigma and sparking hope, while reminding others that they aren’t alone. And in breakout rooms—small, youth-led circles—teens will explore coping strategies, wellness practices, and real solutions together, building community in ways that feel both safe and empowering.
“Giving young people the opportunity to lead is transformational,” Zachrich noted. “When they guide the conversation, their peers listen differently. It’s not about being told what to do—it’s about learning together, lifting each other up, and finding strength in shared experience.”
And the young people leading this conversation have intentionally prepared content to benefit entire family systems in attendance during the event. By showing up together, families can strengthen connections, gain a shared understanding of mental health, and walk away with resources that benefit both young people and the adults who guide them.
The Role of VOICES Corporation
VOICES Corporation has long recognized that mental health support must be community-driven and culturally responsive. Through programs that uplift youth voices, promote storytelling as a form of healing, and provide access to trauma-informed resources, VOICES is building a network of care that extends far beyond a single event.
Events like Amplify Your Voice are intentionally designed to connect young people with immediate resources, from counseling and peer support to wellness services that meet them where they are. By creating space for honest dialogue, these gatherings help break down barriers and normalize conversations about mental health in schools, homes, and neighborhoods. At the same time, they empower the next generation of leaders, equipping them with the tools and confidence to continue advocating for change long after the event ends.
“When youth are empowered to lead, they remind us that healing is possible,” Zachrich said. “Together, we can create a future where every young person in Indiana has the support they need to thrive.”
Come ready to listen, learn, and be inspired. Register today and be part of a movement that is amplifying youth voices, strengthening community mental health, and building resilience for the next generation. Register to attend now.
