Federal and state policymakers, nonprofit and philanthropic leaders, and youth advocates reflect, strategize, and celebrate mental health and suicide prevention as essential policy priorities for youth.
[October 7, 2024, WASHINGTON, D.C.] — The Jed Foundation (JED), a leading nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults nationwide, brought together major mental health, education, and policy decision-makers at its second-annual policy summit in Washington, D.C. on October 1–2, 2024. The summit, “Empowering Minds: Policy Driven Solutions for Youth Mental Health,” drew diverse stakeholders with the shared goal of improving the lives of young people through strategic partnerships in youth mental health across state and federal agencies, regional educational compacts, research data, philanthropy, youth-serving community-based organizations (CBO), and more.
The summit began with a dynamic discussion as JED unveiled its new youth mental health policy agenda to revolutionize support within and beyond educational institutions. JED’s comprehensive approach to policy advocacy, collaborative partnerships, and impactful legislative proposals was shared with attendees. Participants shared ways to positively drive systemic change, foster youth engagement, and build sustainable frameworks for mental health that empower youth nationwide.
“Creating systemic change in youth mental health demands a collaborative, cross-sector approach,” said Dr. Zainab Okolo, Senior Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Government Relations at JED. “We must be a driving force, providing concrete solutions that lead to meaningful systems change. By laying a strong foundation, moving beyond dialogue, and focusing on actionable, bipartisan strategies, we can truly advance mental health policy in ways that are both impactful and life-saving.”
The summit featured notable keynote speakers including Amy Kennedy, Co-Founder of The Kennedy Forum; Jessica Bowen Gall, Policy Advisor at the U.S. Department of Education; Rafael Campos, Deputy Director of Public Engagement, Office of the Surgeon General; and Kenneth Sandoval-Bushur, Senior Advisor, Office of Public Engagement for the White House.
“The 2024 JED policy summit was an incredible event that brought together some of the most passionate and knowledgeable voices in mental health policy,” said Kennedy. “It provided a critical platform for collaboration and meaningful dialogue, driving forward the initiatives that will shape the future of youth mental health. I was honored to be part of this important conversation and am confident that the work done here will have a lasting impact on the lives of young people across the country.”
Campos highlighted the importance of supporting parents and caregivers in mental health initiatives. “I’m always grateful for the opportunity to speak at JED’s policy summit, and this year was particularly special as it was my first time presenting on our recent Advisory on the Mental Health of Parents and Caregivers,” he said. “I was able to share insights from my personal experience as a millennial father navigating the complexities of parenthood in today’s social and cultural climate. It was an honor to be part of such a dynamic federal panel alongside Jessica Bowen Gall, Kenneth Sandoval-Bushur, and Dr. Zainab Okolo, as we discussed collective efforts to address the ongoing mental health crisis.”
The keynote discussions, along with other presentations and panels throughout the summit, exemplified a collaborative spirit and commitment to policy-driven solutions to advance youth mental health on a national scale. During the summit, John MacPhee, JED’s CEO, emphasized the importance of cross-sector collaboration in addressing young people’s growing mental health needs.
“At JED, we believe that no single organization can solve today’s youth mental health challenges alone,” MacPhee said. “It requires the collective efforts of policymakers, educators, advocates, and communities working together to create lasting, systemic change. This summit is a testament to what we can achieve when we unite around a common goal: empowering young people and ensuring they have the support they need to thrive, both mentally and emotionally.”
Additional discussions and priority topics at this year’s summit included:
The policy summit was sponsored by the Trellis Foundation and Lumina Foundation.
To view photos from the summit, click here.
For more information on JED’s policy, advocacy, and government relations work, please visit our website.
About The Jed Foundation (JED)
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. We’re partnering with high schools, colleges, and school districts to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. We’re equipping teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. We’re encouraging community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.
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Media Contacts
Justin Barbo
Director, Public Relations
The Jed Foundation
Justin@jedfoundation.org
(914) 844-4611
FINN Partners
jedteam@finnpartners.com
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