The city of Southfield, in partnership with the Optimist Club of Southfield-Lathrup Village, Metro Detroit Youth Clubs, the city of Lathrup Village, Southfield Public Schools, and Lawrence Technological University will present a Teen Mental Wellness Community Forum on Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m. at the Southfield Public Library, 26300 Evergreen Road. 

As part of the forum, the Optimist Club of Southfield-Lathrup Village is sponsoring a 500-600 word essay contest for 6th—12th grade students who live, attend school, or are in a youth mentoring program in Southfield or Lathrup Village! The essay should cover 2-4 of the following topics:

• How do you find positive joy each day?
• What are some of the ways you take care of your mind and body each day?
• What mental health stigmas do you see perpetuated on social media, and how would you combat them?
• What advice would you give adults about supporting young people in their mental health wellness?

All entries must include three separate documents (application, essay cover page, and essay) emailed to slvoptimist@gmail.com by Monday, April 21. The first, second and third place winners will receive cash awards, recognitions and potential scholarships. 

Additional application details and contest rules can be found online at https://www.southfield-lathrupvillageoptimists.org/ 

The topic of this year’s forum will be “Stomping Out Mental Health Stigmas with Resilience and Diversity of Mind.” The forum will feature conversations with students, parents/guardians with Southfield Police Department Lieutenant Teresa Young and Officer Brandon Walker discussing triggers. The MC and Host will be Trish Wyatt, LMSW and Dr. Theadia Carey and Dr. Dayne Sherrell will discuss symptoms and stigmas. The forum will also include licensed clinical professionals to discuss diagnosis; and accredited trainers with leveling stresses using quality problem solving tools: flowcharting, mind mapping, and cause and effect diagraming with Carolyn Watts-Black, LPC and Counselor; Certified Professional Development Trainer Cherryl Thames; Officer Raymond Hood, Officer Steven Hendricks, and Officer Tim Simon of the Southfield Police Department. The forum will also feature dance performances and artistic expressions coordinated by Raegan Simmons.

The Optimist Club of Southfield-Lathrup Village is made up of local volunteers and community leaders and has serviced the communities of Southfield and Lathrup Village since May 8, 1979. With the motto “Friend of Youth” and a mission to provide hope and positive vision to bring out the best in the community, particularly local youth, the Club promotes special programs and activities throughout the year.

Founded in 1958, the Metro Detroit Youth Clubs serves over 2,200 Club members in locations throughout metro Detroit and is dedicated to empowering youth to reach their full potential through safe, accessible, and inclusive experiences that open doors to a bright future. In 2011, the Southfield community partnered with Metro Detroit Youth Clubs and established the Metro Detroit Youth Clubs Field Zone, creating safe and enriching experiences for youth grades 6 through 12 in the Southfield community.