I help parents and educators understand the root cause of the youth mental health crisis, and give them the tools they need to save lives.
The teenage and young adult years are hard. Our young people face daily challenges deeper than we can imagine. From traumatic childhood experiences to stress at school and social media, there is no doubt our youth face more adult issues than we ever did. Trauma and prolonged periods of stress can lead to anxiety, depression, addiction, eating disorders, mental health conditions, and the nightmare of suicide.
There is no doubt America is facing a youth mental health crisis. That is what we can see. But, the mental health crisis is just the tip of the iceberg. It is the pain beneath the surface that is killing our kids. To end the crisis, we must address the emotional pain - the driving force behind substance abuse, addiction, broken relationships, school violence, and suicide.
Mental Health Speaker & Suicide Prevention Trainer
Amy Kathleen Lee's honest, authentic speaking style and use of humor open the door for parents and educators to learn simple and effective communication techniques around teen and young adult suicide and mental health so they feel more confident and equipped to help young people through painful experiences. As a youth suicide intervention specialist and a suicide survivor, Amy is all too familiar with the emotional pain youth face which is why she uses personal stories from her life and the lives of teens she's worked with to talk about the real issues facing parents and educators to help them find solutions.
Amy's Talks
Beneath the Surface: The Pain Killing Our Kids
Description: Death by Suicide in young people is on the rise and shows no slowing down. Let's slow this devastating trend. Dive beneath the surface of the youth mental health crisis and explore the real issues driving them to end their lives.
Through the power of personal stories, parents and educators will
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Learn to recognize and validate emotional pain using three life-saving messages all struggling young people need to hear.
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Discover the power of confidently initiating mental health conversations as a solution, not to be dreaded.
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Gain real-life insights that turn talk into a walk of saving lives.
After this presentation, parents and educators will see the crisis from a new perspective and understand their role in initiating conversations that become the bridge on which youth walk out of isolation into connection.
Surviving Your Teen’s Suicide Attempt:
What Every Parent Needs to Know
Description: Amy recognizes that, as parents, we experience our teens' mental health crises in a powerful way. We often suffer in silence under the pressure of "it was my fault," "if I'd just said this or that," "why didn't I see it," "what did I do wrong," or "why wasn't I there enough?" The guilt and shame are unbearable, and we begin to think that maybe we aren't cut out for this. In this talk, Amy shares the story of her 17-year-old daughter's suicide attempt and how she navigated the aftermath of one of the most heart-wrenching times in parenting. Amy brings awareness to the emotional impact of knowing your teen tried to end their life and the hopelessness and powerlessness so many parents feel as they watch their teen suffer.
This talk explores the fundamental truths of being a parent - of letting go and of the strength and resilience parents have inside themselves, even in the dark times. Parents walk away with renewed purpose and commitment to themselves and their teens.
In this talk, parents define:
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Their role during a mental health crisis.
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The importance of letting go.
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How to establish emotional boundaries.
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Ways to take care of themselves.
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Learn to forgive themselves for being human.
The goal of this talk is to validate and empower parents, recognize what they go through, and let them know they are not alone. “I want this talk to fill their cup and give them a fresh perspective on how resilient they really are.” ~ Amy Lee
“Amy is entertaining and informative - that’s hard to do as a presenter! She gave us a lot of information but did it in a way that was easy to understand. I imagine sharing her personal story is difficult but it is very helpful to help relate to the information. Her courage is appreciated and admired.”
— Middle School Teacher
