Coordinated Care and Seattle Seahawks Unite to Empower Youth Through Mental Health Summit
In a powerful demonstration of community support and youth empowerment, Coordinated Care partnered with the Seattle Seahawks to host the third annual “Strong Youth Strong Communities” (SYSC) Summit at Lumen Field. Held during Mental Health Awareness Month, the event welcomed hundreds of middle school students from across Washington state for a day centered on emotional wellness, leadership development, resilience, and connection.
The summit continues to grow as a meaningful platform for helping young people navigate the mental and emotional challenges facing today’s youth. By bringing students face-to-face with respected athletes, mentors, educators, and advocates, the event created an atmosphere where conversations about mental health could happen openly and without judgment.
This year’s summit featured appearances by several well-known sports figures and community leaders, including Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Jones, Hall of Famer Warren Moon, former Seahawks players Garry Gilliam and Marcus Trufant, as well as former University of North Carolina basketball standout Iman McFarland. Their personal stories and motivational messages encouraged students to embrace vulnerability, seek support when needed, and build confidence through community and teamwork.
The “Strong Youth Strong Communities” campaign has become a cornerstone initiative aimed at addressing the growing mental health crisis among young people. Across Washington state and the nation, adolescents continue to face increasing rates of anxiety, depression, stress, and social isolation. Organizers emphasized that creating safe environments for youth to express themselves and learn coping strategies is more important now than ever before.
According to state data, nearly 135,000 adolescents in Washington experience a major depressive episode each year, while approximately one in nine youth between the ages of 12 and 17 report having suicidal thoughts. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for early intervention, accessible mental health education, and strong community support systems.
The SYSC Summit was designed to address these challenges directly. Throughout the day, students participated in interactive workshops, team-building activities, leadership exercises, and open discussions focused on emotional well-being and personal growth. The sessions encouraged students to develop practical tools for handling stress, improving communication, supporting peers, and maintaining positive mental health habits both inside and outside the classroom.
Speaking at the event, Beth Johnson, President and CEO of Coordinated Care, emphasized the organization’s commitment to supporting youth and strengthening communities across Washington.
Johnson explained that true healthcare extends far beyond physical treatment. Emotional health, social connection, and access to supportive relationships all play critical roles in helping young people thrive. She noted that events like the summit provide students with the confidence and reassurance they need to understand that asking for help is not a weakness but an important part of personal strength.
She also highlighted the importance of partnering with influential athletes and public figures who can connect with students in a relatable and inspiring way. By hearing stories of perseverance, setbacks, and resilience from admired sports leaders, students gain valuable life lessons that resonate far more deeply than traditional educational materials alone.
For many participants, one of the most impactful moments of the day came from hearing Walter Jones speak about the value of mentorship, perseverance, and emotional support. Jones shared that success is rarely achieved alone and that having trusted people who believe in and encourage you can make a tremendous difference during difficult moments.
He stressed that courage is not only demonstrated on the football field but also through the willingness to ask for support during challenging times. His message encouraged students to prioritize mental wellness, lean on supportive relationships, and recognize their own inner strength.
The summit welcomed more than 300 students between the ages of 11 and 14 from schools and youth organizations across the region. Participating groups included Triumph Teen Center, Mt. Baker Middle School, Gray Middle School, Chief Leschi School, Meridian Middle School, Evergreen Middle School, Sacajawea Middle School, and TAF@Sahalie Middle School.
Students had the opportunity to interact directly with speakers and mentors throughout the event, helping foster an environment of trust, openness, and encouragement. Many activities were intentionally structured to promote teamwork and communication, reinforcing the idea that supportive communities play a critical role in mental health and personal development.
The partnership between Coordinated Care and the Seattle Seahawks reflects a broader effort to address social determinants of health and improve outcomes for children and families across Washington state. As one of the state’s largest healthcare providers on the Marketplace exchange, Coordinated Care serves hundreds of thousands of Medicaid, Medicare, foster care, and Marketplace members through a network of more than 30,000 healthcare providers.
Nearly half of the organization’s membership consists of children and youth, making investments in mental health support and early intervention especially important. Through programs like SYSC, the organization seeks to create long-term positive impacts by equipping young people with tools that strengthen emotional resilience and encourage healthy decision-making.
The event also underscored the growing recognition that mental health conversations must begin early. Experts increasingly emphasize that adolescence is a critical period for emotional development, and supportive interventions during these years can significantly improve long-term outcomes.
By creating spaces where students feel seen, heard, and supported, initiatives like SYSC help reduce the stigma that often prevents young people from discussing mental health concerns openly. Organizers hope the summit will inspire students to continue these conversations within their schools, families, and communities long after the event concludes.
In addition to leadership sessions and motivational talks, students participated in collaborative exercises focused on problem-solving, self-awareness, and peer support. These activities were designed not only to educate but also to empower participants to become advocates for mental wellness within their own social circles.
Community leaders involved in the summit emphasized that reducing stigma requires consistent dialogue and visible support from trusted voices. Athletes, educators, healthcare professionals, and mentors all play important roles in helping normalize conversations around emotional well-being.
The “Strong Youth Strong Communities” initiative itself is part of a nationwide campaign led by Centene Corporation in partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, nonprofit organizations, schools, and local service providers. The program focuses on teaching leadership skills, encouraging positive relationships, and helping youth unlock their full potential.
As mental health challenges among adolescents continue to rise nationwide, programs like SYSC demonstrate the impact that collaboration between healthcare organizations, sports teams, schools, and community leaders can have in supporting young people. By combining education, mentorship, and meaningful engagement, the summit offers students practical guidance while reminding them that they are never alone in facing life’s challenges.
For the hundreds of students who attended this year’s event, the summit was more than just a one-day gathering. It was an opportunity to feel connected, inspired, and empowered to take care of both their mental and emotional well-being.
As the event concluded, organizers expressed hope that the lessons learned during the summit would continue to influence participants throughout their lives. Whether through seeking support, helping a friend in need, or building stronger connections within their communities, students left the stadium with a renewed sense of confidence and belonging.
By continuing to invest in youth mental health awareness and community-driven support systems, Coordinated Care and the Seattle Seahawks are helping create a future where young people feel empowered to speak openly about mental health, overcome challenges, and build stronger, healthier communities for generations to come.
About Coordinated Care
Coordinated Care provides free and low-cost health insurance coverage to more than 300,000 Medicaid, foster care, Medicare and marketplace members across Washington, with more than 30,000 providers in-network. Coordinated Care is committed to transforming the health of the community one person at a time. They treat the whole person by breaking down barriers to accessing care, walking members through their benefits, and connecting them to the care they need. Coordinated Care is a Washington managed care organization and a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation, a leading healthcare enterprise committed to helping people live healthier lives
SYSC is a nationwide campaign led by Centene Corporation, in partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, national non-profit organizations, and local community service providers to bring teens together to learn life and leadership skills that help unlock their potential.
