Monroe Youth Coalition: Students helping students

Monroe School District Superintendent Fredrika Smith yielded the stage to members of the Monroe Youth Coalition last week, allowing students the opportunity to talk about their efforts to curb alcohol and drug use, and prevent teen suicide.

The presentation took place during Smith's State of the School District address at last week's Monroe Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Monroe Community Coalition coordinator Joe Neigel, a prevention specialist for the Monroe School District, introduced members of the youth coalition. The coalition is a volunteer-driven, grant-funded nonprofit dedicated to improving the health and wellness of the community by reducing underage drinking and substance use.

The Monroe Community Coalition is made up of several different community sectors, including parents, students, businesses, media and local service organizations like Take the Next Step and the Monroe Boys & Girls Club. Collaboration is key, Neigel said.-á

"It's an acknowledgement that some of the challenges that face our community are too big for any one person or agency to handle on their own, but together we are making a difference,GÇ¥ Neigel said. "Our data shows that rates of substance abuse have not been lower in at least a decade in Monroe, because of people just like you.GÇ¥

He gave some background on the youth coalition.

"The Monroe Youth Coalition formed because we needed student input on what we were doing,GÇ¥ Neigel said. "We don't want to talk about them without them, so we identified champions that were willing to come up and make a difference on behalf of all students in Monroe.GÇ¥

Last year, the coalition decided to tackle mental health, and embarked on an anti-suicide campaign. They filmed a mini-movie called You Are Not Alone, which currently plays before movies at Monroe's Galaxy Theater. Samantha Johnson, one of the youth coalition's founding members, talked about the coalition's current efforts. Johnson said she was inspired to participate in the coalition after being deeply affected by the suicide of a close friend in 2012.

"We're just trying to show the community that nobody's alone in their struggles, whether it be substance abuse or mental health,GÇ¥ Johnson said. "We're really trying to increase connectedness in our community.GÇ¥

In addition to promoting the You Are Not Alone mini-movie, the coalition will be holding a self-esteem workshop in the next few months and implementing a new effort to help eighth-graders as they transition to the high school.

Patrick Miles said he initially became involved in the coalition because his girlfriend encouraged him. But then he realized he could help others who were experiencing the same struggles he did during the middle school to high school transition.-á

"The reason I stayed is because I found that it's beyond words the amount of joy you can get from helping somebody within the community,GÇ¥ Miles said.

For more information about the Monroe Community Coalition, visit www.facebook.com/monroe.cc.united/?fref=ts.