COMING SOON | SEPT 1

SPEAK OUT

YOUTH SERIES

A FREE 4 WEEK MENTAL HEALTH YOUTH SERIES

This four-part series, was created by the Speak Out Team to explore the intersection of mental health and Christian faith. Each week, we'll not only dive into Biblical truths but also provide practical tools for supporting ourselves and those around us, so we leave feeling more equipped to immediately implement what we've learned.

WEEK ONE: LIFE OF JESUS &

UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH

We often picture Jesus as emotionally untouchable, but the Bible reveals a man who experienced the full spectrum of human emotion. This week, we'll look at moments when Jesus expressed grief, anger, sorrow, and deep joy, demonstrating that having a range of emotions is not a weakness but a fundamental part of the human experience. We'll also explore the power of community by looking at three essential roles students can play:
  • The Struggler: The one who is courageous enough to be vulnerable about their pain. We’ll affirm their strength and remind them that they don't have to carry their burdens alone.
  • The Supporter: The friend who walks alongside another in their struggle. We'll give them tools to be a present, non-judgmental listener—a true reflection of God's love.
  • The Silent Struggler: The one who is suffering in isolation. We'll create a safe space for them to be seen and heard, reminding them that they are not alone and that it is a sign of strength to reach out for help.

WEEK TWO: DEPRESSION & FINDING

OUR VOICE IN THE PSALMS

In a world that tells us to "be happy," it can feel like Christians aren't allowed to be sad. This week, we'll challenge that idea by exploring the Psalms of Lament. These ancient prayers give us a biblical model for bringing our raw emotions—our pain, despair, and frustration—directly to God. We’ll learn that lament is not a sign of weak faith, but a deeply spiritual practice that acknowledges the full reality of our experience. This session gives us permission to be honest with ourselves and with God, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, God is present and ready to listen.

WEEK THREE: NAVIGATING

ANXIETY WITH HOLISTIC FAITH

Anxiety is a normal part of life. A healthy amount can even be a good motivator. But what happens when anxiety becomes overwhelming, impacting our bodies, our relationships, and our ability to be present in the world? This week, we’ll explore how we can navigate anxiety from a holistic perspective—addressing not just our spiritual lives, but our physical and emotional well-being, too. We'll discover how practices like mindful breathing, movement, and cultivating genuine connection can calm our nervous systems and help us experience more peace. As followers of Jesus, we have a call to wholeness, and that includes caring for our anxious minds and bodies.

WEEK FOUR: HOLDING SPACE FOR

HOPE AND SUICIDE PREVENTION

This final week is dedicated to the sensitive but vital topic of suicide prevention. We will reflect on the unconditional love Jesus showed Peter after his denial and consider how that same kindness and grace would have extended to Judas. We'll explore the idea that while despair can feel permanent, it doesn't last forever, and even in the midst of our deepest pain, there is always hope. We’ll equip students with practical knowledge about warning signs, and the courage to speak up and reach out for help. The goal is to create a community where it's safe to talk about suicide and where every student knows they are seen, loved, and have people ready to help.

"I USED TO THINK MY FRIENDS AND I HAD TO HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER, BUT THIS SERIES SHOWED ME THAT BEING A GOOD FRIEND MEANS SITTING WITH SOMEONE IN THEIR HONEST STRUGGLES, NOT JUST OFFERING A QUICK FIX. NOW I FEEL LIKE I ACTUALLY KNOW HOW TO SHOW UP FOR THEM."

Speak Out's Youth series provides everything a leader needs to facilitate a transformative and grace-filled conversation on mental health.

You get a comprehensive, ready-to-use series of videos, leader guides, and small group questions, all designed to empower you to cultivate a safe and sacred space for genuine conversation with your students.

  • A 4-Part Video Series: Each week, students will engage with a professionally produced video that serves as the cornerstone of our discussion. These videos artfully blend biblical truth with psychological wisdom, featuring thoughtful reflections from both faith and psychology. They are designed not just to inform, but to create a space of safety and vulnerability, normalizing a full range of human emotions within a faith context.
  • Detailed Leader's Guides: Our easy-to-follow guides are a trusted resource for every youth leader. They provide a step-by-step spiritual and emotional roadmap for each session, including key theological insights, practical psychological principles, and gentle guidance on how to facilitate a safe and non-judgmental group environment. We've written these guides to empower leaders to serve as compassionate guides, even if they aren't mental health professionals themselves.
  • Suggested Small Group Questions: We have prayerfully and thoughtfully crafted a set of questions for each week. These aren't just conversation starters; they are invitations to honesty, empathy, and deeper connection with one another and with God. These questions are designed to help students process their own experiences, apply the week's lessons to their spiritual journey, and build a more authentic community where they can truly be seen and known.

MEET YOUR FACILITATORS

Lauren Wilson, the founder of Speak Out, is a passionate advocate for mental health and well-being. She brings both professional expertise and deeply personal experience to her work, making her a trusted guide for youth.
Lauren's extensive experience in residential counseling and youth ministry has equipped her with vital skills in crisis management and de-escalation, which are key to fostering a safe space for open dialogue and vulnerability within youth groups. Her commitment is not just to supporting marginalized youth, but also to changing the narrative of mental health in the local church and beyond. This is a crucial message for all students—whether they are personally struggling, don't know how to support a friend, are living under immense academic pressure, or are simply trying to navigate their own mental health journey.
Her lived experience with depression, anxiety, and complex PTSD makes her an essential voice for this series. She understands the challenges young people face, not just from a textbook, but from walking that path herself. She approaches every individual with a profound sense of curiosity, stewardship, and respect, making it easy for young people to feel seen and understood.
Lauren's vision for Speak Out is to bridge the gap between the church and mental health resources, providing practical support to communities. Her work is a testament to her belief that every young person deserves to be heard and supported.

LAUREN WILSON

Tyler Hanns is a Pastoral Board Member with over 20 years of ministry experience, including a decade in youth ministry. Now serving on the national team of the Vineyard Movement, Tyler carries himself with a profound compassion, kindness, and a desire to see young people truly know Jesus.
Tyler’s approach is deeply personal; he isn’t exempt from the mental health struggles he discusses. Raised by a single mother, he navigated personal challenges growing up, actively seeking mentorship from coaches and mentors to find his way. With double master's degrees in applied Biblical leadership and biblical studies, he offers a compassionate and holistic perspective on the critical intersection of faith and mental health—a perspective forged through both his academic knowledge and lived experience.
His ministry model is rooted in the example of Jesus, who was unhurried in his work, prioritizing personal connection and caring for people's emotional and mental well-being. This is the model Tyler follows, believing that true discipleship involves caring for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Tyler is passionate about spiritual formation, which he defines as the process of cooperating with the Holy Spirit as we become more like Jesus. His experience as a ghostwriter for "Practicing the Way" curriculums further demonstrates his ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and impact, making his voice essential for parents, leaders, and youth alike.

TYLER HANNS

Recommended Additional Resources

At Speak Out, our heart is to walk alongside you, through sometimes very scary mental health situations. We believe that it takes a whole team of people around those navigating both mental illness & crisis. Our resources are designed to come along side you and your community, no matter where you’re at in this mental health journey. The following resources are great next steps, for both leaders, parents and students.

MENTAL HEALTH TOOLKIT

Our Mental Health Toolkit: A compassionate resource crafted to empower you with the skills you need to be a source of support for others, helping to create a community where everyone feels seen and cared for.

YOUTH LEADERS CONFERENCE

Our Youth Leaders Conference: Committed to equipping youth leaders with the best tools, education, and practices for navigating the complexities of mental health within our churches. We aren't trying to make you a therapist; instead, we understand that your unique role holds a powerful opportunity to catch mental illness early and build supportive communities around your students.

PARENT CONFERENCE/COURSE

Our Parent Course: "Setting the Table," provides a safe space for parents and guardians to learn how to cultivate deeper, more meaningful connections with their children.