About Student Voices 

On May 23, 2024, more than 100 young people and dozens of local leaders and decision makers, including elected officials, law enforcement, public health professionals, and community service providers, came together for Student Voices, a youth empowerment project of Impact Sac. Student Voices is designed to engage Sacramento-area students as “teen experts” and connect them to people in positions of influence who collectively have the resources to enact positive, youth-centered solutions to teen health, safety, and wellness issues. This report provides a qualitative summary of the insights, inspirations, and priorities lifted up by young people through small group discussions about their lived experiences with violence, substance use, and mental health and what it takes to create healthier and safer environments. Discussions were facilitated by researchers from the UC Davis Centers for Violence Prevention with the goal of leveraging youth wisdom to identify the activities and services necessary for young people, families, and communities to thrive. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Safe environments for youth prioritize not only physical security but also emotional well-being.
2. Developing healthy cultural identities and cross-cultural understanding can build a sense of belonging while countering negative stereotypes of people and communities.
3. Youth benefit from timely, accessible, and sustainable opportunities to develop and maintain positive mental health.
4. Youth are receptive to trusted messengers who have shared backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences.
5. Social media is a dynamic tool that connects young people, producing both challenges and possibilities.
6. Young people want transparent and responsive systems and adults who create safe spaces and are held accountable to youth needs.
7. Programs should center young people as the experts and leverage peer-to-peer models where youth can support one another. 

The authors gratefully acknowledge the young people who generously shared their expert perspectives and life experiences with us to help increase understanding and spark action to make our communities safer and healthier.