What does it feel like to be a teenager today?
In this special Voices of Compassion episode, CHC’s Teen Leadership Collaborative takes the mic to share an honest, unfiltered look at the challenges young people are navigating right now. From academic pressure and social media to friendships, anxiety, and the struggle to ask for help, these student leaders offer powerful insights into what it’s really like growing up in today’s world.
Representing youth organizations across the Bay Area, the panel discusses how achievement culture impacts mental health, why some students’ struggles go unnoticed, how social media shapes self-worth and connection, and what schools, families, and communities can do to better support young people.
Moderated by Natalie Tamburello, Community Engagement Manager at CHC, and introduced by CHC’s CEO Dr. Ryan Eisenberg, this conversation offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from teens about what they need most from the adults in their lives.
Listen on iHeartRadio
ABOUT CHC’s TEEN LEADERSHIP COLLABORATIVE
This episode features teens who have partnered with CHC through the Teen Leadership Collaborative, an initiative designed to elevate youth voices and create meaningful conversations around mental health and well-being.
Students representing organizations including SafeSpace, allcove, AIM, Bring Change to Mind, My Digital TAT2, the Taarika Foundation, Challenge Success, and other youth-serving groups across the Bay Area have contributed through blog posts, social media content, podcast appearances, and teen-led panel discussions. Through these efforts, they have helped reduce stigma, foster connection, and share valuable insights about the challenges and opportunities facing young people today.
At CHC, we believe young people are experts in their own lived experiences, and this episode reflects our commitment to creating spaces where youth voices are heard, valued, and centered.
