Thriving: The ABCs of IRL (In Real Life)

We teach ABCs and 123s.
Who teaches the skills young people need to thrive IRL?

Connection, communication, resilience, and belonging are skills that can be learned and strengthened. Yet too many young people are growing up disconnected from the relationships and experiences that help build those skills.

Watch Wyman’s second Connected Conversation – Thriving: The ABCs of IRL to explore what helps young people thrive, what’s disrupting connection, and how we can create spaces where youth develop the real-life skills they need to succeed.

You’ll hear from Wyman President & CEO Allison Williams and Stephanie Malia Krauss, author of How We Thrive: Caring for Kids and Ourselves in a Changing World, which highlights Wyman’s Teen Connection Project (TCP). Together, they discuss the power of connection and the skills that matter most in a changing world.

Watch the recording here!

Explore resources from the webinar

  • Catch Stephanie and Allison in IRL Thursday, September 10, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM CDT. Register Here!
  • Visit Stephanie’s webpage and discover more about Rehumaning.
  • Keep the conversation going in Stephanie’s Substack.
  • Fund IRL is a coalition working to ensure any payouts from current social media lawsuits help fund programs and services that promote youth well-being and healthy development. “In real life” (IRL) opportunities—ones where young people build skills, make friends, and grow—are a powerful antidote to the harms of social media.

The Opportunity Cost of Inaction: Investing in Youth Mental Health

What is the opportunity cost if we fail to invest in proactive, upstream youth mental health supports today?

In May 2026, we hosted a panel discussion highlighting philanthropic and public funding approaches to support a stronger youth mental health ecosystem. Through examples like Wyman’s Teen Connection Project, the conversation highlighted three unique approaches to funding youth mental health. Moderated by Wyman’s President & CEO Allison Williams, panelists discussed:

  • The current state of youth mental health
  • The long-term impact of youth mental health programs, and why sustained investment is essential
  • How funders, advocates, and practitioners can work together to maintain momentum amid shifting policy and funding landscapes

The panelists were:

Watch the recording here! 

Explore resources from the webinar and ways you can support youth mental health

  • Wyman’s Teen Connection Project (TCP) is a nationally recognized, evidence-based program for high school aged teens that helps teens build meaningful friendships; practice communication, trust, and empathy; feel seen, valued, and supported; and strengthen coping skills and overall well-being. 
  • Learn about what Wyman is doing to support Teen Mental Health.
  • CDC YRBS - 40% of high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
  • NASEM Report - A National Agenda - The National Academies estimates a prevention package could cost approximately $218 per child, compared to $4,361 per child for treatment-focused approaches.
  • Fund IRL – Fund IRL is a coalition working to ensure any payouts from current social media lawsuits help fund programs and services that promote youth well-being and healthy development. “In real life” (IRL) opportunities—ones where young people build skills, make friends, and grow—are a powerful antidote to the harms of social media. 
  • The 4th Annual Community Convening, sponsored by Chiron Community Giving Foundation (CCGF) is October 3 at Webster University. Dr. Bruce Perry will be the Keynote Speaker. Those interested in receiving more information can email us at info@chironstl.org to be added to the CCGF email list. Registration will open August 1st.
  • NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness. They are the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization.
  • Mental Health America is the nation’s leading nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being, and condition prevention.