At Blue Bee Project, we believe young people have something important to teach us.
Through the Nathan Lee Montez Jr. Memorial Scholarship applications, we had the privilege of reading thoughtful and honest reflections from students about mental health, grief, support, faith, school pressure, and community. Their words offered a glimpse into how teenagers and young adults see the world around them, what they notice in their peers, and what kind of support they believe can make a difference.
The students came from different backgrounds, different goals, and shared different experiences. Yet common themes appeared again and again. They wrote about connection, kindness, encouragement, inclusion, and helping others through difficult seasons. They acknowledged struggle, but they also spoke about perseverance, hope, and the importance of showing up for one another.
What stood out most was that they were not asking for anything extravagant. They pointed to trusted adults, supportive friends, faith-filled communities, private ways to ask for help, and spaces or opportunities to talk without fear of judgment. Again and again, their essays pointed to support beginning in simple ways: noticing when something feels different, ask a sincere question, and making time and room for an honest answer.
Young people do not expect adults to have every answer, but they do need to know that we care enough to pay attention.
That may be one of the most important lessons from their essays. Mental health is complex, and we know there is no single conversation, program, or gesture that can prevent every tragedy or heal every wound. Some struggles require professional care, long-term support, and resources far beyond what one person can provide. But complexity should not keep us from doing what we can.
We can make conversations about mental health part of everyday life instead of saving them only for moments of crisis. We can take concerns seriously the first time they are shared. We can learn the signs that someone may be struggling. We can resist the urge to immediately fix, lecture, compare, or dismiss. We can support schools, families, churches, and community organizations that help young people feel known, valued, and connected.
The essays also made something else clear: young people want to be part of the solution. They understand that stigma keeps people silent, that checking on a friend matters, and that small acts of compassion can carry more weight than we sometimes realize. Their insight matters. They have experiences, perspectives, and wisdom that can help all of us build stronger and more compassionate communities.
If we want to support them well, we need to include them in the conversation.
That is why Blue Bee Project is excited to begin working more closely with young adults, including many of Nathan’s friends and peers. Their voices will help guide this work as we build programs, resources, and opportunities for connection.
Sometimes listening is where understanding, connection, and hope begin.
If you or someone you love is struggling, please know help is available. In the U.S., you can dial or text 988 anytime to be connected with support.