Empowering Youth: The Journey of the Eye for Prevention Team

Preventing Substance Misuse and Promoting Mental Health and Healing

What is EYE for Prevention?

Engaging Youth Expertise (EYE) for Prevention is a team of passionate young leaders and researchers aged 13 to 25 with lived experiences. Through a holistic and trauma-informed approach, the team focuses on preventing substance misuse and promoting mental health and healing. As a youth-led group, they focus on empowerment, advocacy, and equity in everything they do. The team acknowledges that each person comes with a unique background story, distinct needs, and challenges. By embracing and celebrating diversity within their team and the broader community, the EYE for Prevention team conducts authentic youth engagement, helping them become their best selves.

The Eye for Prevention team is a diverse group, bringing together members from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, educational affiliations, and various neighborhoods across the greater Denver area. Their goal is to use data-driven research to create actionable harm reduction plans for the communities, youth, adults working with youth, and public health and clinical settings. Through their research, they have implemented strategies to help promote recovery, such as group workshops, culturally relevant healing, peer support, art programming, community engagement, and other prevention-focused approaches.

Community Impact

Through their research, the EYE for Prevention team has uncovered a disconnect between the needs of youth and the adults with whom they regularly interact. To close the gap, the team has shared their research with local and national audiences. By conducting presentations to peers in schools and youth-serving prevention and treatment professionals, the EYE for Prevention team can directly impact how youth cope with challenges and how adults support them. Most recently, in April, group members traveled to Oakland, California, to lead the opening session at the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs annual conference.

“Our involvement in the conference is what it looks like to partner with a purpose,” said Sedona A. Moreno, PHIDH Program Specialist and Coordinator for Eye for Prevention. “We are so grateful to have been given the freedom to choose how we showed up as young people on such a large platform, to speak our truth and move from our hearts.”

Research Driven Projects

EYE for Prevention uses research to drive its campaigns and projects. Most recently, they have been working on Stronger Without, a holistic, community-driven, and trauma-informed peer-to-peer support project. The Stronger Without campaign empowers youth to identify the aspects of their lives they love and to nurture their best selves through rediscovery without relying on substance use. By providing connection to community support and offering alternative coping strategies, the EYE for Prevention team aims to help their peers recognize their worth beyond substance use. Without these crucial resources, young people facing adversity, trauma, and social determinants of health are at increased risk of falling prey to unhealthy coping mechanisms. Through community, intentional choices, and direct support, the EYE for Prevention team provides young people with the empowerment and tool kits to “choose to find, love, honor, and lift themselves when they need it most.”

In addition to their peer-to-peer work, the Stronger Without campaign has implemented the annual EYE Summer Art Program. This art initiative has been successful as a substance misuse prevention strategy. Its effectiveness is demonstrated in a peer-reviewed paper by EYE youth leaders showcasing their findings. “We want to help others implement similar programs in their communities and be inspired to create meaningful, safe environments for youth struggling with various life factors contributing to their issues,” said Ari LeDoux, PHIDH Behavioral Health Educator and EYE for Prevention member. “As youth leaders, we know that the struggle is real, but so is our strength!” said Sedona A. Moreno. “We are more than just numbers and statistics, and our stories are a powerful testament to our resilience. We are being the change we want to see in our communities. Together, we are #StrongerWithout!”

Take The First Step: Explore Our Resources

If you or a young person you know are struggling with substance misuse or mental health issues, know that you are not alone. The EYE for Prevention team offers a range of support options, including coping techniques, mindfulness exercises, personal growth tools, creative outlets, and direct support. For more information, please visit Help & Support | Eye For Prevention (strongerwithout.com). Taking that first step towards getting help is brave and can lead to a happier, healthier you. Many people have found that seeking support has made a real difference in their lives. It provided them with the strength and resources needed to overcome challenges and thrive. We invite you to join us, draw inspiration from our stories, and take that important step towards finding the support you need.