The Prince George’s County group addressed psychological well being points amongst younger folks with its second annual Youth Mental Health Expo on Saturday.

The occasion, sponsored by Bowie State University, Volunteers of America and the county well being division, aimed to assist teenagers and younger adults with their psychological well being within the post-pandemic period. 

“It’s about how we respond to crises,” Dr. Sheryl Neverson, one of many facilitators of the well being expo, stated. “How do we respond and cope when things don’t go our way? … We all need mental health, just like we need physical health.”

At the expo, suppliers disbursed data in non-clinical setting, a gateway to dealing with the challenges of life. 

Alyssa Washington, for one, stated she discovered her escape by way of equine remedy. 

“Going to the barns, riding horses–that’s my coping skills. That’s how I cope. That’s how I de-stress,” she stated. 

“She’s also doing barrel racing. She’s just found her passion,” Princess Washington stated. 

Still, there’s stigma connected to remedy, which is the place Alyssa Washington has since grow to be one thing of an envoy of its advantages to her friends. 

“If they don’t think therapy’s gonna work, or if they don’t find it as a way to get help, I try to tell them that there’s other ways too, not just therapy: teachers, other peers, principals, guidance counselors,” she stated. 

Three occasions as many individuals registered for the expo this 12 months in comparison with final 12 months, and a couple of third of the attendees who registered weren’t Bowie State University college students, doubtlessly proof of the necessity and wider acceptance of the subject of psychological well being.

“People need to speak up. You see a lot of celebrities now coming out. A lot of people saying, ‘Hey, it’s OK to talk to a therapist. It’s OK to not be OK,’” Neverson stated. 

It’s particularly obligatory, Neverson stated, amid all of the problems of recent day life, particularly for younger folks. 

“Whether it’s school, whether it’s bullying, whether what they see on social media comes to them at their fingertips, and so we have to be prepared to respond,” she stated.