A Real Life Movement to Grow Resilience in Ohio Youth: Join the Hey, I’m Here Ohio Resilience Squad
[Columbus, OH, May 28, 2024] – Young people across the state of Ohio are being invited to take part in the Hey, I'm Here movement, a diverse, youth-led campaign on a mission to grow real life resilience.
Data shows that in Ohio alone, 1 in 3 high school students report challenges with anxiety and the number of high-school aged kids with major depressive episodes has nearly doubled over the past decade (Ohio Department of Education & Workforce). It’s no secret that young people today are navigating a myriad of stressors that impact their mental health and well-being.
In its fifth year, The Hey, I'm Here Ohio campaign was launched in response to this crisis in mental health by meeting youth where they are: in digital spaces. Since then, the campaign has reached over 3 million people worldwide. In 2022, the campaign formed the Resilience Squad, a 20 member team of Ohioans ages 14-27, to ensure youth share directly in the vision and decision-making process that drives the campaign.
“The Hey, I’m Here Ohio movement is not just a social media campaign,” said Yonnae Hobbs, Resilience Squad Co-Chair, “It’s a real-world movement to grow resilience that helps us respond to everyday stressors with more ease.”
Each month, the Resilience Squad participates in a coaching and community space to gain and share practical resilience skills. They’re also given opportunities for professional development and a platform to share their insights with thousands of followers along the way.
"We believe in the power of community and peer support," said Katie Bachmeyer, Project Director of Hey, I'm Here Ohio. "Our movement is cultivating a supportive community where everyone can be their authentic selves. No judgment, just real talk and real connections – on-and offline."
Applications for the Hey, I'm Here Ohio Resilience Squad are currently open. Interested youth can visit the campaign's official website at www.heyimhereohio.org and navigate to the "Join" section. Interested caregivers and adults who work directly with youth can attend the Virtual Open House on June 20, 2024 at 11am. More information can be found on the website.
Applications to join the Squad close on July 30th, 2024.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Katie Bachmeyer, Project Director, Hey, I’m Here Ohio
Founder + CEO of Bachmeyer Press
katie@bachmeyerpress.com
513 549 7567
About Hey, I'm Here Ohio:
@HeyImHereOhio is a diverse, youth-led movement on a mission to grow resilience in Ohio’s young people. Our real-life campaign uses online tools to spread positivity and share practical resources that assist others on their mental health journey. Supported by the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services.