Riverton program aims to help teens navigate mental health challenges
Jan 31, 2022, 7:13 PM | Updated: Jun 7, 2022, 3:13 pm
RIVERTON, Utah — The city of Riverton in Salt Lake County is fighting against the alarming mental health troubles among teens with a special program.
“Live in Real Life” brings in resources and speakers to help educate and start a discussion.
Big events are held twice a year, with one happening Monday night at Riverton High School.
“Sadly, it’s a very pervasive issue,” said Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs. “It’s all centered around this topic of raising awareness of anxiety, depression, mental health challenges, suicide prevention. That’s really the goal is to be able to talk about it in open forum.”
The guest speaking at 7 p.m. at Riverton High is Craig Scott, a Columbine High School shooting survivor. Scott was in the library 20 years ago when ten of his classmates were killed around him. He also lost his own sister.
Scott is expected to speak on being emotionally resilient.
The event is free and open to the public.
The city will also have vendors set up in the lobby area to provide resources to the public.
“I’m really hopeful for two things — number one, that they understand that there are resources available; then secondly, we want them to know that, hey, it’s okay sometimes not to be okay. We can talk about it,” Staggs said. “And that’s where I think the city can really take a leadership role.”
