How Real Conversations Sparked Change in Schools, Treatment Centers, and the Community
This past week in Florida reinforced why this work matters.
For six days, we traveled across Seminole County. We stepped into schools, auditoriums, treatment centers, and a community event. We had real, raw conversations about mental health, substance use, self-harm, and suicide. We also discussed what it means to keep going.
Eleven presentations. Six days. Eight high schools. Two treatment centers. One community event. Thousands of lives affected.
But the real impact wasn’t in the numbers—it was in the moments.
The students who leaned in, listened, and shared their struggles. The teens stepped forward and said, “I’ve been holding this in for so long. Today I finally felt safe enough to talk about it.” The school staff who told us, “We’ve never seen students engage in a conversation about mental health like this before.”
These conversations didn’t end when the presentations were over. At Seminole High School, the largest school we visited, we stayed nearly two hours after our presentation. We spent that time connecting with students one-on-one.
Many left with a new perspective. They took action to check in on their friends. They reached out for help and started meaningful discussions. These discussions will continue long after we’re gone.
What We Covered: Inside the School Presentations
At eight high schools across Seminole County, we engaged students with a direct, interactive presentation focused on:
- The Power of Storytelling – Real experiences with mental health, addiction, and recovery that broke down stigma and helped students see they are not alone.
- Mental Health Awareness – How to recognize signs of mental health struggles, including self-harm, and suicidal tendancies, both in themselves and in their peers.
- Substance Use Prevention and the Reality of Addiction – A straightforward conversation about fentanyl, overdose, and the impact of substance use, grounded in real stories and facts.
- How to Ask for Help – Guidance on how to identify warning signs, seek support, and support a friend in need.
- Hope and Resilience – A message that no matter what someone is facing, there is a path forward.
This was not just another assembly. It was a conversation that gave students space to reflect. It allowed them to speak up and connect with one another in ways they may never have before.
The Follow-Up: Conversations That Went Beyond the Stage
After each presentation, dozens of students stayed behind—some to share their stories, some to ask for advice, some just to say thank you.
These one-on-one and small group conversations were led by Nadine and I, along with school counselors and staff.
For many students, this was the first time they felt safe enough to open up.
- Some students disclosed struggles with mental health, substance use, or family challenges that they had never spoken about before.
- Others shared their desire to help their peers and asked how they could get involved in mental health advocacy.
- Some took the first step in reaching out to a school counselor or trusted adult for support.
The impact extended beyond the schools.
- We had ongoing discussions with parents and families who reached out after hearing about the presentations.
- Some of these conversations are still happening, as students explore ways to engage in peer coaching and community efforts.
- Students stepped up as leaders, working to continue these discussions in their schools.
This is not just about presenting information—it is about creating lasting change.
Seminole County Sheriff’s Department and the SCORE Team: Key Partners in This Work
This week would not have been possible without the support of the Seminole County Sheriff’s Department.
A special thanks to the SCORE Team for their dedication to prevention and intervention. They ensure that students in Seminole County have the tools they need to navigate mental health challenges and substance use prevention.
Their commitment to supporting youth is making a real difference, and we are grateful to work alongside them.
Building on Last Year’s Impact
This was not our first time in these schools.
Last year, we were on the “We Are Not Alone” tour, traveling across the country and bringing these conversations directly to students. That tour, in partnership with SAFE Project, first introduced us to this community.
The response was so strong that we were invited back.
For more on the impact of last year’s tour, visit:
Reflections from the Road: Amplifying Youth Voices and Creating Lasting Change
This week was a continuation of that impact, proving that these conversations do not just end when the presentation is over. They create a ripple effect that influences schools, families, and communities long after.
Beyond the Classroom: Conversations in Treatment Centers and the Community
While schools were the main focus of this week, we also had the opportunity to speak at Lotus Youth Treatment Center and Advent Health.
At Lotus Youth Treatment Center, we met young people actively working through substance use and mental health challenges.
At Advent Health’s men’s recovery group, we led a discussion on recovery, resilience, and healing.
These were not just presentations. They were real, interactive conversations that allowed people to speak honestly about their struggles, ask hard questions, and reflect on what it means to move forward.
But our impact didn’t stop there.
Before stepping into any schools, our first stop in Florida was at Reiter Park in Longwood, where we joined local leaders and families for a community event focused on ending overdose.
Alongside Seminole County Sheriff Dennis M. Lemma, City Commissioner Matt Morgan, and so many others dedicated to addressing this crisis, we stood in solidarity—walking together, speaking together, and remembering those impacted by addiction and overdose.
This event reinforced what we already knew: the overdose epidemic has left no community untouched.
We were grateful to be part of this event, to stand with those who are committed to making a difference, and to continue bringing this conversation into the spaces where it’s needed most.
What’s Next?
As we reflect on this past week, we are more committed than ever to this mission.
We are here to amplify youth voices. We aim to break the stigma. We want to remind people that hope is real. Recovery is possible.
This past week in Florida was not just a series of events—it was proof that these conversations are needed now more than ever.
And we are just getting started.
Take Action
- Want to bring RISE TOGETHER to your school or community? Learn more here.
- Want to support this work? Every donation, share, and conversation helps us reach more people.
- Want to be part of the change? Start the conversation. Check in on the young people in your life. Remind them they are not alone.
This is more than just a program. This is a movement. One story at a time.
Let’s keep rising together.