Bangor-area Students Gather at Husson for Mental Health Summit

Northern Light hosts annual event to connect youth with mental health resources.

Mar. 10, 2026 at 11:03pm

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The 3rd annual Youth Mental Health Summit took place at Husson University's Gracie Theater in Bangor, Maine, allowing students from several local high schools to connect with mental health advocates and resources. The event featured a keynote speech from mental health advocate Ivy Watts and breakout sessions with 22 community speakers covering topics from nature-assisted therapy to suicide prevention.

Why it matters

The summit aims to address rising rates of suicidal ideation and suicide among middle and high school students in Maine by opening up dialogue and connecting youth with support. Northern Light, the event organizer, hopes to provide students, parents, and faculty with tools and resources to better understand and address mental health struggles.

The details

The Youth Mental Health Summit featured a variety of breakout sessions and speakers to engage students on mental health topics. Over 200 people attended, making it the largest mental health summit hosted by Northern Light to date. The event was designed to foster open conversations around mental health and connect attendees with a range of community resources and support.

  • The 3rd annual Youth Mental Health Summit took place on March 10, 2026.

The players

Ivy Watts

A mental health advocate who served as the keynote speaker for the summit.

Stacey Coventry

The Northern Light Community Engagement Director, who oversees the organization of the annual Youth Mental Health Summit.

Northern Light

The healthcare organization that hosts the annual Youth Mental Health Summit in Bangor, Maine.

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What they’re saying

“Middle school and high school numbers for suicidal ideation and our suicide numbers are on the rise here in Maine, it's pretty scary. We want to start a dialogue, and we want to let our teens know that we are here, that we are listening, and we want to support them in any way we can.”

— Stacey Coventry, Northern Light Community Engagement Director

The takeaway

The Youth Mental Health Summit demonstrates Northern Light's commitment to addressing the growing mental health crisis among young people in Maine. By providing a platform for open dialogue, access to resources, and connection with supportive community members, the event aims to empower students and equip them with the tools they need to navigate mental health challenges.