Over 100 students engaged on four including mental health, substance misuse, educational inequity, and climate change

The Metro Education Commission (MEC), a public body of the City of Tucson and Pima County, is proud to announce the release of a Teen Town Hall Dialogue Report, an impactful summary of youth perspectives on pressing issues such as mental health, substance misuse, educational inequity, and climate change. This report captures the insights and solutions generated during MEC’s 30th Teen Town Hall, held on November 13, 2024, at the Pima County Courthouse. The event was presented by Vantage West Credit Union with support from Education Forward Arizona.

The event brought together high school students from across Pima County, providing them with a platform to voice their concerns, propose solutions, and engage directly with subject experts, educators, and policymakers.

The discussions highlighted the importance of amplifying youth voices during times of significant social and political change. “MEC strives to empower people of all ages to reach their fullest potential through learning and service, cultivating a stronger, more connected, and informed community built on education and civic engagement,” said Rocque Perez, MEC’s Executive Director. “At a time when the voices of youth are often overlooked, this platform provides them with the space to speak, collaborate, and shape their futures. Their insights remind us of the critical importance of creating safe, equitable, and connected communities.”

The event welcomed over 100 students from the Tucson, Sunnyside, Marana, and Sahuarita Unified School Districts, who were organized into 12 dialogue circles facilitated by the Center for Community Mediation and Facilitation and MEC’s Youth Civic Fellows.

Each group focused on one of four topics—mental health, substance misuse, educational inequity, and climate change—and followed structured guidelines to ensure productive dialogue. Students brainstormed solutions to their assigned issues, prioritized their top concerns, and reconvened in a plenary meeting to share their conclusions. Among the full report, which is available here, the top priorities identified include:

Mental Health

• Reform hotlines and cold lines.

• Establish a stronger health support system in schools.

• Increase funding for mental health research and medication.

• Support community engagement through mentoring groups, clubs, and extracurricular activities.

• Emphasize the importance of separating social media from reality.

Educational Inequity

• Create state-mandated college visitation seminars for parents.

• Provide funding for textbooks for early learners and low-income families.

• Improve the student-to-counselor ratio.

• Use strategic promotion to raise awareness of educational resources.

• Implement English Language Development programs in all schools.

Substance Misuse

• Expand education about substance abuse.

• Increase border security to reduce the flow of illegal substances.

• Reframe addiction as a public health issue to encourage healthier coping mechanisms.

• Introduce early intervention programs or classes starting in 6th grade.

• Create affordable and accessible outreach, therapy, and rehabilitation programs.

Climate Change

• Increase public education about the climate crisis.

• Ensure equitable access to micro mobility options and public transit.

• Support walkable cities.

• Advocate for improved zoning laws.

• Make renewable energy technologies, such as solar, more affordable and accessible for homes and cars.

Shared Themes and Insights

Despite the diversity of topics, students found common ground in their discussions. Key shared conclusions included:

1. A Need for Education: Across all issues, students emphasized the lack of public awareness and education about the problems themselves and the available resources to address them.

2. Reform as a Priority: Students highlighted the necessity of systemic reforms to address underlying barriers.

3. Increased Funding: Each group stressed that adequate funding is essential for implementing effective solutions.

4. The Urgency of Action: Personal stories and broader societal perspectives underscored the gravity of these issues, framing them as urgent priorities for the community.

“We hope this report inspires meaningful action across Tucson,” said Perez. “The insights and solutions offered by these young people are a powerful reminder of their potential to shape a more equitable, informed, and resilient community.”

This year’s Teen Town Hall also featured opening remarks and a panel discussion with prominent leaders, including Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, now Vice Mayor and council member Lane Santa Cruz, and Pima County Attorney Laura Conover.

A standout moment of the day was the panel of elected officials, including Arizona Representative Nancy Gutierrez, Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, Pima County Recorder Gabriella Cazares-Kelly, Tucson then Vice Mayor and current councilman Kevin Dahl, and Sahuarita Mayor Tom Murphy. These leaders shared their personal journeys into public service, discussed the challenges they have overcome, and provided valuable advice on how young people can actively participate in their communities.