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University of New Haven Master of Public Health student Donrine Adeyinka Theo Harding ’28 MPH reflects on a Born This Way Foundation event exploring how peer support, mental health education, and meaningful connections can promote youth well-being.

What does it mean to truly support someone? Is it simply being there when they need help, or does truly meaningful support require something more?

I recently had the opportunity to explore these questions at an event hosted by the in collaboration with the Cotton On Foundation. I attended at the invitation of my professor, Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH, and left with a deeper appreciation for the role of peer support in promoting youth mental health and well-being.

The event, themed "The Power of Peer Support," brought together young people, researchers, nonprofit leaders, and community advocates to explore how meaningful connections, youth engagement, and supportive environments can strengthen mental health.

'Involving young people in designing peer support programs'

The event opened with a poetry performance by a group of young people, setting the tone for a day centered on youth voices and experiences.

One of the first sessions explored the importance of involving young people in designing peer-support programs. Three ideas stood out to me: active listening, representation, and capacity building.

Too often, programs intended to help young people are developed without meaningfully involving them in the decision-making process. The speakers emphasized that young people should not simply be invited to participate in conversations. They should also have opportunities to shape the programs, services, and resources intended to support them.

This message resonated with me because young people understand their own challenges in ways that others may not. Listening to their experiences and including their perspectives can help organizations develop programs that are more relevant, inclusive, and responsive to their needs.

During a networking activity, I also connected with individuals working in research, youth advocacy, and nonprofit organizations. I learned how their organizations engage young people through focus groups, surveys, webinars, and youth-led initiatives. These conversations helped me appreciate the many ways organizations can create opportunities for young people to influence decisions that affect their lives.

'Make someone feel seen and valued'

Another memorable session, "Unlikely Third Spaces and Mental Health Support," challenged me to think differently about where meaningful connections happen.

One speaker shared a story about an older skateboarder who helped him learn a new trick. Although the interaction was brief, it gave him a sense of belonging and eventually inspired him to mentor other young people.

Another speaker discussed the importance of creating workplaces where young people feel comfortable expressing themselves and asking for support.

These stories reminded me that mentorship and emotional support do not always happen in formal settings. Sometimes, a simple interaction, a shared interest, or a welcoming environment can help someone feel seen and valued.

Whether in a skate park, workplace, school, or community space, opportunities for connection can have a meaningful impact on a young person's well-being.

"Sometimes, meaningful change begins with something as simple as listening, offering encouragement, or reminding someone that they are not alone."

- Donrine Adeyinka Theo Harding ‘28 MPH

'The connection between education and action'

As a public health student, I was particularly interested in a session highlighting research on the , a free, 90-minute mental health education program designed to help individuals better support others.

The research involved 102 college students from two universities in the northeastern United States. Findings presented at the event suggested that students who completed the program reported reduced mental health stigma, fewer perceived barriers to seeking help, greater willingness to seek support, and increased confidence in supporting their peers.

Interviews with participants also highlighted how the program helped students develop practical skills for starting conversations about mental health.

What stood out to me was the connection between education and action. Learning about mental health is important, but knowing how to respond when someone needs support is equally valuable.

The session reinforced my belief that education can do more than increase awareness. It can also help individuals feel more prepared and confident in supporting the people around them.

'Diversity of perspectives'

The final session encouraged participants to develop practical recommendations for strengthening peer support within schools, families, workplaces, and online communities.

My table focused on the role of family in providing emotional support. We discussed how family members are often among the first people individuals turn to during difficult times.

One concept that particularly resonated with me was "chosen family."

Support does not always come from biological relatives. It can also come from trusted friends, mentors, and other individuals with whom we develop meaningful relationships.

This conversation reminded me that a strong support system is not necessarily defined by family ties, but by the trust, acceptance, and the sense of belonging we experience in our relationships.

As representatives from each table shared their recommendations, I was struck by the diversity of perspectives. Although we approached peer support from different settings and experiences, we shared a common goal: creating environments where young people feel heard, respected, and supported.

'Apply these lessons in my own life'

Attending this event was more than an opportunity to learn about youth mental health. It encouraged me to reflect on how I can apply these lessons in my own life and future work in public health.

My biggest takeaway was that peer support is not simply about being available when someone needs help. It also requires listening, empathy, knowledge, confidence, and cultivating an environment where people feel safe seeking support.

The event also reinforced the importance of community engagement in public health. Effective programs should not only respond to the needs of communities, but they should also involve community members in identifying challenges and developing solutions.

As I continue my public health education at the University of New Haven, I hope to carry these lessons forward by being more intentional about listening to others, recognizing the importance of different support systems, and advocating for spaces where young people feel empowered to support one another.

Sometimes, meaningful change begins with something as simple as listening, offering encouragement, or reminding someone that they are not alone.

Donrine Adeyinka Theo Harding '28 MPH is a Master of Public Health student at the University of New Haven. Through her graduate studies, she is developing her understanding of public health challenges and the importance of community engagement, health education, and supportive environments in promoting health and well-being.