IYT Mental Health Is Wealth Summit
We recognize that the wellness of our brothers, mentors, and youth-serving organizations is essential to the success of the young men we serve. That understanding led us to host IYT’s first-ever Mental Health is Wealth Summit—an event designed to expand access to mental health education and strengthen community collaboration around wellness for young men of color.
This inaugural summit reflected IYT’s deepening commitment to integrating mental health, mentorship, and leadership development across Sacramento County. The gathering brought together young men of color, youth-serving organizations, educators, institutional leaders, parents, and mental health practitioners for a powerful day of learning, dialogue, and connection.
The event began with a networking session, followed by interactive community panels focused on impactful mentoring, effective communication, mental health and wellness, and leadership and learning principles. Each panel created space for honest conversations, stigma reduction, and practical strategies to better support youth well-being.
Throughout the day, participants explored how to navigate mental health resources and strengthen regional support systems. Partners from the Sacramento County Office of Education, Dignity Health, Kaiser Permanente, Brothers of Sankofa (BOS), MENTOR California, and The Center at Sierra Health Foundation shared expert insights on building sustainable, culturally responsive care.
The summit also featured testimonials highlighting how programs like IYT Wellness foster trust, self-awareness, and emotional resilience. Parents and community leaders engaged in sessions modeling how to talk openly about mental health and connect young people to the support they need.
By the end of the summit, attendees left with renewed purpose, tangible tools, and a shared commitment to promoting emotional health and belonging. The success of this first-ever gathering lays a strong foundation for future summits that will continue to expand awareness, reduce stigma, and strengthen Sacramento County’s mental health ecosystem.