Spotlight on Teen Leadership: Celebrating Livie Apple and the Future of Teen Mental Health Advocacy

We are thrilled to celebrate one of our own, Livie Apple, who has been selected for the YMCA of the USA Teen Mental Health Fellowship after a nationwide search of young leaders ages 16–22.

Livie, a student at UNC Charlotte, has been part of the Warlick Family YMCA for nearly five years, serving in Youth Development programs and contributing her voice on our Child Abuse Prevention team. She brings a passion for education, leadership, and advocacy, and now, she’s representing our community on a national stage.

What the Fellowship Means

The Teen Mental Health Fellowship gives young people the opportunity to use their voices and partner with Y-USA to shape resources and strategies that improve teen well-being. This small group of leaders is exploring knowledge, skills, and solutions that can break down stigma, foster resilience, and strengthen support networks for teens.

Livie shared:

“My goal is to become a middle school teacher, and I know how important it is to support the whole child,  academically, emotionally, and socially. This Fellowship is helping me grow as a leader so I can better serve the students I work with now at the YMCA and my future students.”

Livie’s Experience So Far

Through the Fellowship, Livie has connected with peers from across the country who share a commitment to improving mental health support for young people. From conference workshops to peer discussions, she’s learning from others’ experiences and contributing her own.

She explained:

“Even though we’re all different, there’s this shared energy and passion that connects us. It’s not just about personal growth, but about building a community of people who care about creating change.”

Why Teen Mental Health Matters

Today’s teens face pressures and challenges unlike any other generation, balancing academics, relationships, sports, jobs, social media, and planning for the future. Rates of anxiety, depression, and loneliness continue to rise. By giving teens like Livie a platform to lead, the Y is helping to break the stigma around mental health and create real, youth-driven solutions.

“Mental health is essential because it affects every part of our lives, how we think, how we build relationships, and even how we see ourselves,” Livie said. “For teens, having support and space to talk makes all the difference.”

Teen Programming at the Y

The YMCA is committed to providing safe, supportive spaces where teens can connect, learn, and lead. We offer Teen Programming like:

• Teen Mental Health training and advocacy opportunities

• Youth Development jobs and leadership pathways

• Y Readers and tutoring programs

• Volunteer and service opportunities

These experiences help teens develop resilience, confidence, and a sense of belonging while also equipping them with life skills that carry into adulthood.

A Bright Future

We are so proud of Livie’s accomplishments and the light she shines on the importance of teen mental health. Her journey is a powerful reminder of why we invest in young people, because when teens are empowered, supported, and given opportunities to lead, they become changemakers for the entire community.

💙 Join us in congratulating Livie on this incredible honor, and learn more about how the YMCA supports teens through leadership, advocacy, and mental health programming.