Life in the Light Purpose Pathway
Exploring Purpose at the Intersection of Faith, Mental Health, and Youth Leadership
The Crisis We Address
Leading cause of death for ages 10-14
Of teens have considered suicide
Increase in African American youth ages 10-24 (since 2022)
Rural teens are twice as likely to consider suicide. African American youth ages 5-12 are twice as likely to die by suicide. Through Building Caring Families methodology, students learn to lead Student Leadership Academies that mobilize peers, lift up Christ-like principles, and reduce mental health stigma in their communities.
- Fuller Method reflective mentoring and narrative identity development
- B Curriculum for clarity, self-discovery, and meaning-making
- Voice Up's Five Core Principles
- Fruits of the Spirit as leadership framework (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control)
- Scripture-inspired devotionals and reflection
Students develop:
- Understanding of youth mental health advocacy as purpose-oriented calling shaped by God's love and the Fruits of the Spirit
- Connection between personal faith journey and opportunities to serve peers struggling with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation
- Critical skills in peer counseling, spiritual mentorship, suicide prevention, community mobilization, Christ-like communication, and stigma reduction
- Purpose-based peer support initiatives, student-led mental health campaigns, faith-based wellness programs, and community outreach events
- Professional identity through narrative writing, mentorship, scripture study, and reflective practice
Living in the Light
- B Curriculum, personal faith and mental health narrative
- Fuller Method mentoring
- Fruits of the Spirit leadership framework
- Scripture study (Matthew 5:14-16, Galatians 5:22-23)
- Reflection on being the light in community
Understanding Youth Mental Health Crisis
- Teen suicide statistics and stigma
- Faith-based approaches to mental wellness
- Cultural humility (rural youth, African American youth)
- Mini-literature review
- Peer support and active listening techniques
Designing Student-Led Solutions
- Systems mapping (schools, churches, community organizations, peer networks)
- Student Leadership Academy planning
- Designing student-led mental health initiatives
- Mentor session on call to action strategies
Your Life in the Light Blueprint
- Capstone design
- Mental health awareness campaign or student leadership toolkit
- Contribution to Purpose Library
Advanced Track
- Research on youth suicide prevention
- Student Leadership Academy evaluation
- Grant writing for faith-based programs
- Presentations to church leaders and school administrators
Life in the Light Identity Statement
Integrating faith journey with youth mental health leadership commitment
Community Mental Health Map
Visualizing how faith communities, schools, families, and peer networks support mental wellness
Fruits of the Spirit Leadership Brief
Applying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to real-world mental health challenges
Purpose-based Project
Student Leadership Academy for mental health awareness, peer support network grounded in faith principles, church-based youth mental wellness initiative, or scripture-inspired devotional series for students in crisis
Student Leadership Academy Model
Students collaborate 4-8 weeks before community events, develop leadership skills using Fruits of the Spirit, improve critical thinking and communication, implement community outreach raising mental health awareness, and create calls to action including:
Mini student-led projects
Mobilization of friends
Lifting up Christ-like principles
Sharing lessons learned
Repeating impact
Three Pathways:
Academic Credit • Volunteer Service • Voice Up University
(all receive equal quality mentorship and purpose development)
Professional Standards:
CDC suicide prevention best practices, American Association of Suicidology (AAS) frameworks, National Association of Christian Counselors (NACC), Association of Youth Mental Health (AYMH) peer support guidelines
Biblical Foundation:
All programs are Bible-based, centering Matthew 5:14-16 ("You are the light of the world"), integrating devotionals inspired by scripture study, and grounded in Building Caring Families mission: transforming how families embrace and build healthier lives.
This internship prepares you for careers in:
Peer counselors
Youth ministers
Mental health advocates
Faith-based social workers
School counselors
Building Caring Families leaders