Wilton Youth Council | Empowering Wilton's Youth, Parents & Community

Photo credit: Ema Whittaker Photography

We promote the well-being of Wilton's students
by empowering youth, parents and community.

Growing up has always had its joys and heartaches, but today’s teens confront a new landscape of social media, vaping, and rising rates of anxiety and depression. Wilton Youth Council equips students and parents with skills and information to make healthy decisions. Our professionally-led youth programs provide opportunities for leadership development and drug-free fun. We educate and support parents with inspiring speakers and events. Through our collaborations with partner organizations, we create a greater sense of community and strengthen connections among families.

PARENT PROGRAMS

Our educational events provide valuable information about proven, effective strategies

for nurturing connection and resilience.

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YOUTH PROGRAMS

Through welcoming, inclusive programs that promote healthy choices, we seek to prevent risky behavior among youth.

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COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

We partner with other local organizations in community efforts to support youth and families.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Lets Talk Mental Health

Sponsored by Wilton Youth Council and the Wilton Library

Date: 9am, Wednesday October 22

Location: Riverbrook Regional YMCA

Cost: Free.

Intended audience: Everyone 18 and over

Join the Wilton community for a discussion on mental health and substance abuse. Individuals, both youth and adults, in our community and across the country are facing a range of mental health challenges. This event aims to foster connection and conversation and reassure attendees.

Navigating these topics and the healthcare system can be difficult and isolating. We are coming together to engage in meaningful dialogue and explore the resources available in our community. The event will cover various aspects of mental health, offer guidance on recognizing signs of concern in both youth and adults, and discuss challenges and resources for navigating the ever-changing mental health system.

The panel will be moderated by Christine Cha, Ph.D., a psychologist and youth mental health researcher at the Yale Child Study Center and the Yale Center for Brain and Mind Health. She will also be fielding questions from the audience.

Panelists will include:

Robert Cipolla - Deputy Chief, Wilton Police Department
Vanessa Elias - Parent Coach, NAMI facilitator, Founder, Block Party USA
Jackie Britt-Friedman, Psy.D. - Asst. Professor, Yale Child Study Center
Stephanie Rowe, MS, LMSW - Director of Wilton Social Services
Kim Zemo, LCSW - Director of Climate, Community, Wellness and Belonging, Wilton Public Schools

The discussion aims to continue the dialogue, raise awareness, and promote supportive conversations!

To register, please visit this link.

Before and after the event, you are welcome to visit various resource tables addressing different mental health fields. Some of the organizations represented will include Wilton Social Services, NAMI, Yale Child Study Center, Silver Hill Hospital, Domestic Violence Crisis Center, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, LiftWell Health, Kids in Crisis/Lighthouse, Sped*net, Mobile Crisis Service of CT, Catalyst CT/The Hub, Riverbrook Regional YMCA/Northwell, and Wilton Youth Council.

Coffee and treats made by Wilton Kneads will be available during the conversation.

The Community Conversation on Mental Health is sponsored by NAMI Southwest CT, Riverbrook Regional YMCA, Town of Wilton, Wilton Police Department, Wilton Public School, Wilton Youth Council, and Yale Child Study Center.