A few weeks ago, I was in a room with people who had just met the most impressive young people in Delaware.

At our Youth of the Year Gala, finalists from across the state took the stage. They were poised, thoughtful and clear. They spoke about communities with care and futures with confidence.

I watched the faces in the room. People were moved. Some may have been surprised.

They shouldn’t have been, but I understand why they were. The story we tell ourselves about young people is often dark. Anxiety. Depression. Screens. Disconnection. We hear it constantly, and the data behind it is real. Youth mental health challenges are elevated, and we should not look away.

But I do want to push back on the idea that there is something fundamentally wrong with this generation. That kids today are weaker, more fragile or less capable than those who came before. I do not believe that, and I see the evidence every time we hold this event.

What I see in our Youth of the Year finalists, and in the young people we serve, is potential. Resilience. Humor. Drive. They give back. They pay attention to the world around them and think about their place in it. Given the right supports, they thrive.

The mental health concerns are real, and they demand an intentional, coordinated response. In my experience, the most effective solutions start with steady, trusted adults.

Ask any one of our Youth of the Year finalists what made the difference in their life. What helped them navigate hard moments and keep going. Every single one gives you the same answer. A person. A club staff member who knew their name and story. An adult who showed up consistently and helped them know they mattered and that their future was worth working toward.

That is not a coincidence. That is the science of healthy development playing out in real lives.

Decades of research points to the same finding: one of the most powerful protective factors for a young person’s mental health and long-term well-being is a consistent, caring relationship with a trusted adult. It buffers against anxiety and depression, builds resilience and encourages strong decision-making.

The challenge is that this kind of relationship does not happen automatically. It requires time, consistency and trust in places where young people feel safe, seen and valued.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware, building those relationships is the work. Our club professionals show up across this state. They learn names, learn stories, show up and keep showing up. Kids come back not just for the programs but because someone there knows them.

This Mental Health Awareness Month, here is the ask: Show up in the life of a young person. Coach the team. Volunteer. Mentor. Invest. Stay.

The young people who stood on that stage will tell you what they needed. They will point to a person.

Be that person for someone.