Youth Summit Tackles Teen Suicide in Gig Harbor

In response to 19 suicides among individuals under 25 from 2015 to 2024, a youth mental health summit will be held on Saturday, May 30th, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Gig Harbor Civic Center. This free event is organized by the Gig Harbor mayor's youth council and aims to empower young people to seek and offer mental health support.

The summit, themed "You, Me, We Stronger Together," will feature a Q&A panel with youth and mental health professionals, workshops for both youth and parents, and access to various resources. The youth council decided to focus the event on mental health due to recent tragedies, aiming to provide attendees with practical tools for self-care and peer support.

While the suicide rate in the Key Peninsula and Gig Harbor area is slightly elevated compared to the county, emergency department visits for suicidal ideation among those under 25 have been consistently higher and increased in 2025. Organizers hope the summit will demystify mental health services and reduce the stigma associated with seeking help, addressing the immense pressure today's youth face.