Several students from high schools schools across New York City who are part of the nonprofit Global Kids, which works to develop youth leaders through dynamic global education and leadership development programs, came together in an effort to address mental health stigmas and spark change on Friday, May 2, at York College, located at 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd. in Jamaica.
The gathering, known as the 2025 Global Kids Annual Youth Conference, was guided by the theme “Mental Health is a Voyage, Not a Destination.” This theme was chosen in an effort to help elevate the importance of mental health, as well as to explore its connection to education, global policy and overall wellness.
“Being involved with Global Kids for the past three years really helped me understand how mental health is shaped, not just by personal experiences, but also by what’s happening around us,” Global Kids youth leader and conference planner Dasha Melendez-Garcia said. “Global Kids gives students a chance to really get involved in their communities, which can boost mental health – not just for the people we’re helping, but for us too. It helps us figure out who we are and where we fit, both in our neighborhoods and in the world.”
Students were able to draw from personal experiences to present their messages to peers through performances, education workshops, presentations and more. The event reflected Global Kids’ mission of equipping students with the necessary tools and principles to spark meaningful change within their communities and far beyond.
Students led the planning for the 2025 Global Kids Annual Youth Conference, as they worked to empower their peers to take action in support of mental health. Their involvement was very deep, from putting together the experiential workshops to even designing the official logo of the conference.
“Before I joined Global Kids, I didn’t fully understand how much mental health impacts our everyday lives – both on a personal level and within our communities,” Global Kids youth leader and conference planner Christian Gordon said. “For a lot of young people, including myself, it can be hard to speak up because we’re afraid of judgment or don’t have a safe space to open up. Opportunities like this conference remind us that it’s okay to feel what we’re feeling and it’s okay to ask for help. No one should have to go through it alone. Global Kids helps make that possible by creating a space where we feel seen, heard and supported.”
The 2025 Global Kids Annual Youth Conference was held in partnership with Search for Education Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK), a CUNY program meant to assist students considered economically disadvantaged and academically underprepared.
