Students Advocate Find Shared Experiences at Annual Kane County Youth Voices Forum on Mental Health
The 2025 Kane County Youth Voices Forum on Mental Health was held on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Elgin Community College, welcoming 86 students from 10 area high schools. The Forum provides a platform for open dialogue between youth, educators, and mental health professionals, aiming to amplify student voices and gather insights to improve mental health services in schools and communities.
🔗 Learn more: Kane County Youth Voices Forum
Among the participants, Sophie Dado shared a message that resonated with attendees. She quoted:
"Listen to hear, not to respond."
This sentiment struck a chord, shaping discussions throughout the day and beyond. For Dado, a Dundee-Crown High School student, this marked her third time attending the forum. After starting as a participant, she later became a student facilitator in 2024. This year, she joined a panel discussion alongside her classmate and representatives from the Kane County Regional Office of Education (ROE) and Kane County Health Department (KCHD), sharing insights on mental health initiatives and available resources.
“High school is difficult, and being here, surrounded by people who understand, has given me a sense of community,” Dado said. “Events like this help others feel that same support.”
Forum Highlights
The event is made possible through the Kane County System of Care, a network of community providers and families, including:
✔ Kane County ROE
✔ KCHD
✔ Kane County Behavioral Health Council
✔ Juvenile Justice Council
✔ All Our Kids Early Childhood Networks
Alternative Programs staff at the Kane County ROE helped prepare student facilitators, who spent a day at the ROE developing discussion topics on improving support services and fostering a more supportive environment for mental health.
The forum concluded with a presentation by Brandon McCall of Teen Truth, an organization dedicated to improving school culture. His talk highlighted how people wear “masks” to fit into their surroundings, often losing sight of their true selves.
This message resonated deeply. Kate Walls, a Geneva High School student, reflected:
“You can come from a different town, race, or gender, but we all face challenges. It was shocking to realize how many people shared my experiences. When you’re struggling, you feel isolated, like you’re the only one. But in reality, we’re a community.”
Looking Ahead
Event staff will compile a report summarizing key takeaways, which will be shared with county and school board members, district leaders, and school employees to help guide future mental health initiatives.
“The student voice has never been more important in shaping their school environment,” said Patricia Dal Santo, Regional Superintendent for Kane County. “This forum has highlighted critical issues, allowing us to expand counseling services and professional development opportunities for educators. None of this would be possible without students courageously sharing their stories.”
ROE created a video summary of the event. Watch through the link below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bt2U8ho0TIs
🔗 Learn more about Kane County ROE’s Alternative Programs: kaneroe.org/student-services
About Kane County ROE
The Kane County Regional Office of Education serves nine school districts, over 9,831 educators, and covers 524 square miles. In 2023, the ROE received two Blue Pencil & Gold Screen Awards from the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) for excellence in government communication.
