15-year-old Zoraida de Souza created T.H.R.I.V.E. as a teen-led movement focused not just on mental illness, but mental wellness. (WPEC)
BOCA RATON, Fla. (CBS12) —A local teen is creating a space where young people can talk openly about mental health and, more importantly, help shape the conversation
15-year-old Zoraida de Souza is bringing her peers together for a summit designed by teens, for teens
The Peter Blum Family YMCA of Boca Raton will soon be filled with dozens of teenagers all coming together for the first T.H.R.I.V.E youth summit
“T.H.R.I.V.E. gives teenagers the opportunity to have a seat at the table, talk about what mental health means to them, what tools they need in life and what skills they would like to have,” Zoraida explains
She created T.H.R.I.V.E. as a teen-led movement focused not just on mental illness, but mental wellness
The summit will focus on stress management, healthy relationships, resilience and leadership, giving participants practical tools they can use in their everyday lives
“It’s giving teenagers an opportunity not to wait till it’s too late when they’re already over like the ledge and they’re having that awful situation, but giving them an opportunity beforehand to be able to actually experience the option to be a part of their mental health.”
For Zoraida, this mission is personal
She lost her grandfather when she was just 8 years old — an experience that opened her eyes to how many people around her were also struggling
“I realized mental health wasn’t something that I’m struggling with; it was something that was everywhere.”
She says she was lucky to have a strong support system
Now, she wants other teens to have access to that same kind of support before they reach a crisis point
And she hopes they leave the summit with just one tool they can use when life gets overwhelming
“When they’re having that dark moment, when they’re feeling stressed out and overwhelmed, something they can actually implement in their life, something that reminds them that hey, maybe it really will be okay.”
The summit is taking place on Saturday, August 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Peter Blum Family YMCA of Boca Raton
For more information or to sign up, contact: Director of Teen Programming, James Rodriguez atjrodriguez@ymcaspbc.org or 561-300-3206
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