Mental health awareness and substance-use prevention have become increasingly vital priorities for communities dedicated to supporting the well-being of teenagers. With rising rates of stress, anxiety, and exposure to drugs and other harmful substances, young people are facing unique and complex challenges in today’s world. “People choose negative coping skills like substances when they’re not able to manage their own mental health,” said Melinda Gamez, founder of The MILES Group.
In response, local organizations like MILES are currently working to educate, empower and protect teens by providing better access to mental health resources, having conversations about substance use, and offering programs designed to build resilience and healthy coping skills and habits.
MILES stands for Mindful, Informed Learning, Education and Support. Gamez founded the MILES program about a year ago after the death of her son, Miles, who died at age 19 from a fentanyl overdose. Every week MILES hosts a new event open to the community. Whether you are a curious parent or a struggling teenager, Gamez and the whole MILES team create an environment free from judgment and where everyone can feel comfortable enough to learn about the dangers of drugs and other risky behavior.
Along with substance-use education, the program emphasizes mental health awareness, emotional regulation and self-reflection. MILES incorporates wellness-based activities designed to help teens build healthy coping habits and recognize warning signs in themselves and others. “I think yoga is important because it helps you get out of your mind and into your body,” said Anna Cintron, a yoga teacher at one of the seminars.
MILES operates in accessible community spaces such as libraries, schools and the Lakewood YMCA. These familiar settings give teens a safe place to connect, talk openly and learn practical life skills. By meeting young people in familiar settings, the program reduces barriers to participation and increases opportunities for meaningful connection.“The main mission is to build relationships with young people, so that they feel comfortable to come to me as a resource for learning,” Gamez said.
For teens experiencing pressure to use substances or harm themselves, the MILES program aims to offer reassurance, support and education for anyone who needs it. “I want them to know that whatever they’re feeling that’s making them think that way, that those feelings are not their fault, and they are not alone,” Gamez said.
Miles’s story serves as a powerful reminder of both the risks and dangers that teenagers face today and the possible outcomes that come with them. “It wouldn’t necessarily mean that other kids are gonna, you know, have the same fate as Miles, but always a chance,” said Leigh Ann, employee of the Lakewood Family YMCA, personal friend of Gamez and co-founder of M.I.L.E.S. While not every young person will encounter the same difficulties or outcomes, the possibility always exists.
Through education, mindfulness, and connection, The MILES Program continues to raise awareness about mental health and substance-use prevention while working to ensure that what happened to Miles and many other teenagers does not happen. The group’s ongoing efforts include hosting workshops, collaborating with local schools, and partnering with a variety of community organizations to reach as many young people as possible. By offering open forums for discussion, hands-on wellness activities, and mentorship opportunities, M.I.L.E.S. encourages teens to speak up about their struggles and seek help when needed.
By offering open discussion, hands-on wellness activities and mentorship opportunities, M.I.L.E.S encourages teens to speak openly about their struggles and seek help when needed. The program also emphasizes the importance of building a strong support network among both youth and adults, reminding participants to check in with friends, family members and classmates.
