8:30–8:40 AM | Welcome & Conference Overview
Start the day with an introduction to the Summit’s focus on the everyday experiences that shape student mental health and well-being. Participants will get an overview of the day and the role students and adults will play together throughout the experience.
8:40–9:45 AM | Student Voice Spotlight Panel: The Daily Experience of Mental Health
Students take center stage to share their perspectives on what school actually feels like each day. Through a facilitated conversation, panelists will explore belonging, relationships, stress, help-seeking, school culture, and the everyday interactions that can support—or challenge—student well-being.
9:45–10:30 AM | Keynote Speaker
A featured keynote will bring additional perspective to the connection between student mental health, school culture, and the environments we create for young people. The keynote will challenge participants to think differently about how schools can support well-being while building stronger, more connected communities.
10:30–11:20 AM | Better Together: Field Exchange
Step outside your school team and learn directly from students and educators from across Michigan. Participants will move to mixed-school tables for a student-led exchange focused on what is working, common challenges, and practical ideas schools are using to strengthen connection, belonging, and student well-being. Participants will then bring those perspectives back to their own school experience through guided reflection.
11:30 AM–12:15 PM | Lunch
Enjoy lunch and continue conversations with students, educators, counselors, administrators, and presenters from across the state.
12:30–1:10 PM | Breakout Presentations — Session I
Choose from school-based sessions highlighting successful practices that support student mental health through stronger everyday school experiences. Presenters will share practical approaches, lessons learned, and resources that participants can consider adapting within their own schools.
1:10–1:20 PM | Break
1:20–2:00 PM | Breakout Presentations — Session II
A second opportunity to explore practical strategies from schools and practitioners working to strengthen student well-being. Sessions will address areas such as belonging and connection, student voice and peer support, staff practices, help-seeking, digital well-being, inclusion, and school-wide systems of support.
2:00–2:30 PM | Designing the Daily Experience: School Team Time
Bring the learning from throughout the Summit back to your own school. Through guided reflection and planning, students and adults will examine their current school experience, identify areas of strength and opportunity, and consider practical ways to strengthen the environment students experience every day.
2:30 PM | Closing Remarks
The Summit concludes by bringing the day’s student perspectives, shared learning, and school-team conversations together, with resources and next steps to help participants continue the work in their own communities.