Bullying and Mental Health Resources Are Concerns for MoCo Youth (VIDEO)

Some students in Montgomery County may not be old enough to vote but that didn’t stop them from discussing county policies and issues with the Montgomery County Council.

During the council’s Seventh Annual Youth Town Hall meeting, students addressed problems such as bullying, overcrowding in schools and the rising costs of higher education.

“There are great, smart students who don’t consider going to some of the best colleges because of the amount of money it would cost them,” said Pavan, student at North West High School. “I’m hoping that we’ll be able to work the [Montgomery County Council] and Board of Education to solicit ideas from them on possible ways that we could lower the impact of student debt.”

Eliminating gang recruitment and violence, accessing mental health resources and extending transportation times on Ride On for extracurricular activities, were also areas of concerns for students.

The forum allows youth in the community to talk with their local government officials about issues that affect them directly.

“A lot of our youth feel disconnected from our government and have a distrust of politics as a whole so it’s really important for them to understand that their interaction with government is something they have the power to control,” said Montgomery County Councilmember Craig Rice.

Here at the reception for @MoCoCouncilMD‘s Youth Town Hall. @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/Su2QnedQM9

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) November 29, 2017

Here’s a look at the room tonight. @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/2aZM2aJtES

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) November 29, 2017

The room is filling up. @mymcmedia #youthtownhall pic.twitter.com/aoU4IRlcVb

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) November 29, 2017

And we begin. #mocoyouth @mymcmedia pic.twitter.com/O3Ph9KCtNl

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) November 30, 2017

Future of universal pre-k? That’s the first question asked by @mattlpost, student member of the board of education. @mymcmedia #MoCoYouth pic.twitter.com/93BSUSt2yW

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) November 30, 2017

Extending transportation resources is a concern for students. @mymcmedia #MoCoYouth pic.twitter.com/zL1kI37fyd

— Mitti Hicks (@MittiMegan) November 30, 2017

Watch a longer video, here.

About Mitti Hicks

Mitti Hicks is a multimedia journalist and community engagement specialist with Montgomery Community Media. She is passionate about telling stories that impact our community and may be reached at MHicks@mymcmedia.org and on Twitter @mittimegan.

View all posts by Mitti Hicks