City of Ridgeland Announces Worth A Listen Initiative
RIDGELAND MS – The Ridgeland Mayor’s Youth Council (MYC), in collaboration with Killebrew Psychological Services and Essential Touchstones, is proud to announce the launch of “WORTH A LISTEN,” a student-led mental health awareness initiative focused on education, increasing access to resources, and reducing stigma among young people.
The Ridgeland Mayor’s Youth Council is comprised of Ridgeland residents who attend six schools across the metro area, giving the group a unique and diverse perspective on the challenges students face today. The initiative will begin rolling out across these six schools, with a long-term goal of expanding the program statewide.
Research from organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the American Psychological Association shows that youth mental health is a growing public health concern, with nearly 40% of high school students reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and about 2 in 5 experiencing a diagnosable mental health condition each year. Despite how common these challenges are, many young people never receive treatment, highlighting a significant gap between need and access to care. Because most mental health conditions begin before age 24, adolescence represents a critical window for early identification and intervention. Without support, these struggles can impact academic performance, relationships, and long-term well-being, underscoring the urgency of expanding access to care, reducing stigma, and strengthening systems that support youth mental health.
“Young people today are facing pressures and challenges unlike any generation before them,” said Mayor Gene McGee. “As a city, we have a responsibility to ensure our students know they are not alone. ‘WORTH A LISTEN’ sends a powerful message that their voices matter, their struggles are seen, and help is always available.”
The “WORTH A LISTEN” initiative began to take shape after an overwhelming response from students applying to the Mayor’s Youth Council.
“As part of the application process, we asked students to identify the biggest issue facing their peers today,” said Lisa Walters, Mayor’s Chief of Staff and coordinator of the MYC. “An incredible 95% of applicants pointed to mental health issues, specifically anxiety, depression, bullying, and social media addiction. That told us immediately this was something we could not ignore.”
As the initiative developed, Walters reached out to Dr. Alyssa Killebrew and Dr. Jerri Gledhill of Killebrew Psychological Services and Essential Touchstones to help guide the effort.
“I went to Dr. Killebrew and Dr. Gledhill to share the idea and get their feedback,” Walters said. “They didn’t hesitate for a second. They immediately stepped in to support us on every level. Their expertise, experience working with local families and students, and clinical guidance have been invaluable in helping shape this initiative. Their compassion, along with that of their entire team, has been truly incredible.”
“When young people are willing to speak up and lead on mental health, that is something we should all pay attention to,” said Dr. Killebrew. “What makes this initiative so powerful is that it is coming directly from students who recognize the need among their own peers. By combining their voices with professional guidance and community support, we can truly begin to reduce stigma and connect students with the help they need.”
Mayor’s Youth Council members involved in the initiative shared the importance of the message:
“So many students feel like they have to handle everything on their own, and that’s just not true. This initiative is about making sure everyone knows there is someone who will listen and that it’s okay to ask for help.” (Ashwin Talwar, Ridgeland High School)
“This is my second year being part of the Mayor’s Youth Council, and something we keep coming back to is how big an issue mental health is, not just in our schools, but everywhere. We see it every day with our friends and classmates. It’s not going away, but mental health is treatable, and we want people to know that. That’s why we’re trying to start conversations and get the word out.” (Knox Davidson, Jackson Prep)
“It’s time we talk about mental health. Help is out there, and friends need to support friends.” (Ra’kiya Smith, Ridgeland High School)
“I’m excited to be a part of this mental health initiative. Worth a Listen is something that will be around for a long time and will help us all start talking about it. There is help, and asking for it should not be anything to be ashamed about.” (Bess Borne, Jackson Academy)
The initiative will include:
- Student-led awareness campaigns
- Distribution of mental health resources and crisis contacts
- School and community outreach efforts
- Partnerships with local and state mental health organizations
Through “WORTH A LISTEN,” Ridgeland’s youth are taking an active role in changing the conversation around mental health, ensuring their peers understand that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The City of Ridgeland and the Mayor’s Youth Council are committed to growing this effort beyond the local level, with a vision of creating a statewide movement that empowers students, connects them to resources, and reminds every young person that they are heard, valued, and never alone.
About the Ridgeland Mayor’s Youth Council:
The Ridgeland Mayor’s Youth Council provides high school students who reside in Ridgeland the opportunity to develop their leadership and citizenship skills while learning about municipal government. Through a deeper understanding of City departments, students are empowered to strengthen their community through volunteer service and foster meaningful communication with municipal leaders, all to enhance the overall quality of life in the community.
About Killebrew Psychological Services and Essential Touchstones:
Dr. Alyssa Killebrew founded Killebrew Psychological Services and Essential Touchstones in collaboration with Dr. Jerri Gledhill. Together, they have built a comprehensive behavioral health system serving Ridgeland and surrounding counties, with telehealth capabilities expanding access across the region. Their programs employ 27 clinicians and clinicians-in-training, providing a wide range of services grounded in trauma-informed care.
Killebrew Psychological Services provides psychological assessments for emotional, behavioral, intellectual, developmental, and psychiatric conditions, as well as evidence-based therapy for individuals across the lifespan. Essential Touchstones offers psychiatric medication management and intensive outpatient programming for adolescents and children, supporting stabilization, skill-
building, and long-term recovery. Both organizations are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based, trauma-informed care that supports healing, resilience, and hope for individuals and families in the communities they serve.
Acknowledgements:
Thank you to those who have played a huge part in making this initiative a reality: Mad Genius, Mars Marketing, Killebrew Psychological Services, and Watkins Roofing & Construction, the MYC sponsor this year.
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