In an Op-ed recently published by the Chicago Tribune, Communities United youth leader Daquan Ford discusses the urgency for mental health support for youth in Chicago. He says that elected officials need to involve young people in the conversations. They need to invest in youth-led initiatives to address the gaps in mental health resources, rather than make unilateral decisions that implement punitive and policing policies. When utilizing healing-centered approaches led by those most impacted by the issues, the vision for a healing-centered city becomes clearer.

Lakaya Knight, shines light to the need to invest in mental health and other community resources in communities impacted by gun violence. 

For decades, young people across the nation have struggled with mental health battles with little to no support or understanding from adults. In response, Communities United Youth Leader wrote an empowering piece in conversation with Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Dr. John Walkup calling on adult allies to support youths by investing in mental health services and community resources.