Day of Empowerment for Our Youth: Fostering Mental Health Conversations

On Saturday, July 19, the Broomfield Auditorium was filled with compassion, creativity, and candid conversations during The Day of Empowerment—a community event. Designed to foster resilience, hope, and meaningful dialogue around youth mental health, the event brought together young people, families, community partners, and advocates in a shared space of learning and connection.

Long-time community member Mercy Manresa voluntarily coordinated the event, knowing how important this cause is in the State of Colorado. Suicide is the leading cause of death for youth in Colorado.

Even before the COVID crisis, data pointed to troubling trends in child and youth mental health, with Colorado’s suicide rate for teens ages 15 to 19 reaching historically high levels, and suicides among teens ages 10 to 14 becoming increasingly common. In 2020 alone, 101 Colorado kids and teens ages 10 to 19 lost their lives to suicide, up from 50 young people a decade prior.

The day began with a screening of My Sister Liv, a deeply moving documentary that chronicles the life of Olivia (Liv) of Niwot, Colorado. Through home videos and narration by her sister Tess, the film explored the layered reality of teen and young adult mental health—covering anxiety, depression, bullying, the pressure to conform, and the darker side of social media.

Despite having a strong support network, Liv died by suicide in her early 20s while attending the University of Northern Colorado. The film powerfully underscored the message that even when someone seems supported, internal struggles may remain unseen.

Following the screening, a panel of experts—including Liv’s mother, Honey, a co-founder of The Liv Project—shared stories and practical advice. They emphasized the importance of open communication and mental health safety plans, likening them to fire escape plans every household should have.

Attendee Kathy Smith learned these everyday strategies from the panelists:

• Normalizing conversations about mental health from a young age.
• Using simple check-in tools—like texting a 1–5 scale to communicate how someone is feeling.
• Having key phrases or signals within the household for when support is needed.
• And even asking direct questions like “Are you thinking of self-harming?” or “Are you suicidal right now?”—and knowing it's okay to speak up.

The BCORE co-response team, Stefanie Van Jacobs and Brandon Kozloff of the Broomfield Police Department, explained how mental health specialists support officers during crisis calls. Their presence ensures compassionate, skillful responses and eases the burden on traditional law enforcement. They demystified the 911 response process, helping attendees understand what to expect when seeking help for someone in crisis.

Sherry Burkhard, Executive Director of Rise Against Suicide, shared vital resources, including access to up to 12 free therapy sessions for youth under 19. They also spotlighted the additional challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth, who are at significantly higher risk for suicidal ideation.

Between the panel and the evening’s youth concert, attendees took part in creative workshops—making buttons, posters, and connecting over a meal from local food trucks. The event wrapped with a high-energy performance by local band Avendetta, celebrating community and the power of youth voices.

When Mercy asked the audience if they found the event helpful, nearly every hand in the auditorium rose. The Day of Empowerment wasn’t just an event—it was a catalyst for change, a safe space for listening, learning, and leading with heart.

This impactful day would not have been possible without the support of many community partners including fiscal sponsor Cultural Broker Advocates and help from the Broomfield Community Foundation through our Arts and Civics Grant Program along with the following entities: The Liv Project, Rise Against Suicide, Rise Above Colorado, Youth 4 Youth, and the City and County of Broomfield Library for their facilities.

For text and talk support through Colorado Crisis Services, text TALK to 38255.

To explore more, visit:

• The Liv Project
• Rise Against Suicide
• Clinica

Quality conversations and valuable information sharing regarding youth mental health strategies took place at The Day of Empowerment. On the panel were Anthony Johnson, Executive Director for Cultural Brokers Advocates, Sherry Burkhard, Executive Director of Rise Against Suicide, Honey Beuf, Co-Founder of The Liv Project, Jenna Candreia, Executive Director of The Liv Project, and two BCORE members, Stefanie Van Jacobs and Brandon Kozloff.

More impact stories →