Elevating Parent Voice to Support Youth Mental Health in School Communities

Across Michigan and beyond, families are navigating increasing mental health needs among children and youth. Many parents and caregivers find themselves overwhelmed, unsure where to start, and at times feeling unheard within systems meant to support them.

At the same time, school parent groups, PTOs, PTAs, and other family engagement leaders, are uniquely positioned to make a meaningful difference.

Why Parent Voice Matters

Parent voice is often misunderstood. It’s not simply feedback or complaint, it’s insight.

When families share their lived experiences, they offer a deeper understanding of what is working, what is not, and where gaps exist. Elevating parent voice leads to stronger partnerships, earlier support, and more connected school communities.

When families feel seen, heard, and included, schools are better able to respond in ways that truly support students.

What Families Are Experiencing

Many families navigating youth mental health challenges share similar experiences:

• Feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of systems
• Not knowing where to begin or who to contact
• Feeling unheard or dismissed
• Receiving support too late, often after a crisis

These experiences highlight the importance of creating spaces where families can share openly and be part of the conversation earlier.

The Role of Parent Leaders

Parent leaders play a powerful role in shaping school culture and family engagement.

They often serve as a bridge between families, schools, and community partners. Through this role, they can help foster environments where mental health is openly discussed, resources are shared, and families feel welcomed and included.

There are four key areas where parent leaders can make an impact:

• Culture – How mental health is talked about within the school community
• Communication – How information and resources are shared
• Access – How families find and connect to support
• Inclusion – Who is represented and whose voices are heard

Small Actions, Big Impact

Creating change does not require large-scale initiatives. Small, intentional actions can make a meaningful difference.

Parent groups can begin by:

• Normalizing conversations about mental health
• Sharing trusted resources with families
• Inviting parent perspectives into discussions and planning
• Building relationships with school staff and community partners

These small steps help build trust and create more supportive environments for families and students.

Creating Space for Lived Experience

Creating space for lived experience means more than inviting families to the table, it means ensuring their voices are genuinely heard and valued.

This includes:

• Moving from decisions about families to decisions with families
• Creating opportunities for input without putting individuals on the spot
• Listening for insight, not just feedback

When lived experience is centered, systems become more responsive and effective.

A Reflection for Parent Leaders

As you think about your own school community:

What is one thing your parent group could do in the next 30 – 60 days to better support youth mental health?

Starting small can lead to meaningful and lasting impact.

How ACMH Can Support

The Association for Children’s Mental Health (ACMH) works alongside families, advocates, and professionals across Michigan to support children and youth with mental health needs.

How ACMH Can Support

ACMH can support school parent groups by:

• Providing training and resources on youth mental health
• Supporting efforts to elevate parent and youth voice
• Connecting groups to local and statewide resources
• Sharing strategies for meaningful family engagement

If your parent group is looking to strengthen its approach to supporting youth mental health, ACMH can serve as a partner in that work.

Supporting youth mental health is a shared responsibility. By elevating parent voice and taking small, meaningful actions, school communities can become more connected, responsive, and supportive for every family.

By Dianna Robinson, CPTD
Director of Operations, Association for Children’s Mental Health (ACMH)

ACMH MI Shares SAMHSA’s 2024 Suicide Prevention Toolkit with Our Community

As we observe Suicide Prevention Month this September, the Association for Children’s Mental Health (ACMH MI) is committed to raising awareness and providing vital resources to our community. We are pleased to share SAMHSA’s 2024 Suicide Prevention Toolkit, a comprehensive resource designed to support efforts in preventing suicide and promoting mental health, especially among children, youth, and families.

The toolkit is filled with downloadable and shareable materials that you can use to spread awareness across your own networks. Each week, SAMHSA will release key messages and themes aligned with the four strategic directions of the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and Federal Action Plan. You can learn more about the National Strategy and the Federal Action Plan here: National Strategy for Suicide Prevention and Federal Action Plan. We encourage everyone to utilize this information to help spread the word and create impactful messages that resonate with our community.

You can access the toolkit here: SAMHSA’s 2024 Suicide Prevention Toolkit. By exploring the toolkit, you’ll find valuable resources and information to help contribute to suicide prevention during this critical month and beyond. Please check the webpage regularly for updates, including a list of events and additional resources that will be added throughout September.

Special Webinar Invitation: Suicide Prevention Strategies for Organizations Working with Children, Youth, and Families

We’d also like to invite you to an important webinar hosted by the Administration for Children & Families, scheduled for Tuesday, September 10, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM ET. Titled “Suicide Prevention Strategies for Organizations Working with Children, Youth, and Families,” this webinar will explore the latest suicide data, risk and protective factors, and strategies for prevention. An expert from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration will lead the discussion, followed by insights from leaders in the field on successful community-led efforts.

This webinar will be particularly valuable for anyone working with or supporting children, youth, and families, as it will provide practical tools and methods for incorporating suicide prevention into your efforts.

To register for the webinar, visit: https://acf-hhs-gov.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_csP__zW6Rbus5EtgOvxTHQ#/registration

We encourage everyone in our community to take advantage of these resources and join us in making a difference this Suicide Prevention Month.

For further details or inquiries, please contact:
Lauren Grimes, MPA
[email protected]