They planned it, they led it, and they showed up for each other.
At Homewood-Flossmoor High School’s first public mental health panel, students took the stage to talk about what they’re carrying — and what they need from the adults around them.
Held May 5 in collaboration with the Live Free 999 Foundation, “Shatter the Silence” capped a week of programming led by students in the Bring Change to Mind club.
Days earlier, the student group hosted a campus-wide mental health fair with yoga, art therapy, and workshops on boundaries and social media — all in place of gym class.
“This is about creating more opportunities for students to feel seen, heard, and supported,” said Jennifer Jones, district communications assistant. “We’re proud that our students are not only participating but leading the charge.”
Launched last year, Bring Change to Mind has become the driving force behind H-F’s mental health efforts. From hallway pop-ups to full-day events, students are shaping how the school talks about wellness and how it responds.
The panel brought those efforts to the main stage.
Student leaders were joined by school staff and professionals, including Carmela Wallace of Live Free 999, H-F psychologist Kofi Shuck, and counseling department lead Kizawanda Olowe, who moderated. Guests from NAMI Chicago, Crisis Text Line, and SunCloud Health joined comedian and parent Correy Bell in a wide-ranging conversation on burnout, communication, and support.
Panelists urged early, judgment-free dialogue between teens and trusted adults. Bell, who spoke candidly about anxiety and parenting, said the most powerful thing parents can admit is uncertainty.
“Sometimes the best thing we can say as parents is, ‘I don’t know either.’ But let’s figure it out together,” she said.
Student panelists shared their own struggles navigating pressure, body image and constant comparison online.
“Comparison is the thief of joy,” one student panelist said. “We need to celebrate each other’s efforts, not just the outcomes.”
“A lot of parents either try to be our best friend or our warden,” said one student panelist. “We want support, not surveillance.”
Before and after the event, attendees browsed tables hosted by local providers, including Rosecrance Behavioral Health, Nexus Counseling Services LLC, Elevation Therapy and Serendipity Yoga, as well as Creative Approaches, Bridging Lyfe, Linden Oaks, Stress & Anxiety Center, Aunt Martha’s, Healing Life Counseling and BC2M (Bring Change to Mind).
For Homewood parent Tracy Finfrock, the night hit close to home.
“I’ve been looking for resources that actually help,” she said. “Some of what I heard tonight really related to my daughter. I talked to people here who gave me hope. I want to take that home with me.”
Mary Boreman, a Tinley Park resident who attended, called the event emotional and affirming. “As a parent, I’ve struggled with mental health diagnoses. Hearing these kids speak so honestly meant a lot,” she said. “I literally wanted to take notes on everything they said.”
At one table stood Aisha Betancourt, sharing the story of her daughter BreAna, a Bloom High School graduate who died in 2019 from an overdose. BreAna had been class president, co-editor of the yearbook and graduation speaker.
“I knew I had to teach other families what I missed,” Betancourt said. Today, she leads the BreAnaLand Project, the South Cook County division of Live Free 999, working to reach families across the region.
The evening ended not with answers, but with conversation, connection and next steps.
“Just hear us.” That’s what one student said. And that night, a whole room listened.
