Davis Cooke, a senior here at Myers Park, is a member of the varsity cheerleading team as well as DREAM Team. Adding to his impressive resume of involvement within the Myers Park community, Davis also began his own mental health program facilitated through his church.
Davis has been a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church for from a young age, but he says “my true involvement started at about 6th grade when I joined youth group; through youth group I have been able to connect with the leaders of the church finding mentors that have helped guide me through the roll coaster that is being a teenager.”
When asked what inspired him to start this mental health organization, Davis said, “when I came home from partial wilderness therapy, I wanted to create an organization committed to fostering the mental growth of teens.”
Davis recalls his time at Wilderness Therapy saying that, “going to Partial wilderness therapy showed me just how much teens are struggling today. The skills and tools I gained from the program changed my life, and I wanted to provide the same opportunity to better yourself mentally to everyone. If I could find the light within myself… maybe I could help somebody else do that too.” This demonstrates the immense selflessness Davis has, and the servant leadership he embodies.
“I strayed away from the idea of starting a club [at Myers Park] because I knew that it could become “clicky,” overshadowed by friend groups, hard to control, but most importantly teens would not feel 100% comfortable.” Davis said when asked about using his church as the means for starting this organization.
Davis also states that “although it is a place of worship, religion is not a theme in the mental health advocacy group.”
His church’s large volume of youth participation and connections within the Charlotte community allow for meaningful conversations and an ideal place for mental check-ins. The group is very laid back and lacks pressure to conform to schedules.
Davis said, “we have Chipotle catered, dedicate time for everyone to hang out and talk, and don’t follow a strict schedule so that everything feels easygoing.”
Even if you are not a member of Myers Park Presbyterian, Davis encourages anyone to attend these check-ins. “I wanted anyone and everyone to feel welcome to join! Friends are encouraged to come, but nobody is at any means required to come to every check-in.”
When asked about the changes Davis has seen since starting this organization, “after the first mental health check-in I was astounded to hear from others just how impactful the check-in was on their lives. This positive impact in the teens’ lives has only grown since that very first check-in.”
Not only has this organization had a positive impact on others, but also on Davis himself. “Everyone becomes apart of each others support systems,” Davis says, “when you walk away from the mental health check-in, you are not just walking away with the new skills and tools to help better handle your mental health struggles, you are also walking away with a massive new support system, and that on its own is something truly beautiful.”
Looking towards the future for his organization, “I hope to see more teens come and participate in the mental health check-ins. We have accomplished so much and I am excited to see what more we can do,” Davis says.
The organization has already received national recognition, and Davis “never in a million years expected to have a CNN article dedicated to the mental health advocacy group!”
His main goal is to simply “try to help other teens find the best version of themselves and hope to continue to achieve that with this organization.” Davis continues to be a leader within the Myers Park and Charlotte community, and his impact is reaching teens all over the country.