Beyond Gun Control: Addressing Youth Mental Health and School Design

40 minute listen | The Civic Design Center's podcast hosts, Joana Zuniga and Ivie Tran, Nashville Youth Design Intern, discuss mental health and design solutions in response to a recent tragedy in Antioch High School.

Listen now:

Meet Ivie

Year: 11th Grade
Fun Fact: I love photography
Why I Love NYDT: "I like working with the NYDT because I want to improve the design of the city and make real change. I also appreciate having a group to bounce ideas off of and working productively together."

In our latest podcast episode, we sat down with one of our youth interns, Ivie, to reflect on the recent shooting at Antioch High School. While gun control remains a critical issue, Ivie shared a deeper concern: the state of youth mental health.

Ivie highlighted how the rigid structure of schools, coupled with a lack of vibrancy, youth spaces, and outdoor time, contributes to stress and disconnection among students. Instead of merely focusing on security measures, we discussed how design can play a role in better supporting our schools and students. How can we create environments that promote wellness, engagement, and a sense of belonging?

The NYDT team actively works with youth across Nashville, collecting data to understand their needs—especially as they relate to wellness. This data informs design and advocacy projects, ensuring young voices shape the city they live in.

As we continue the conversation about youth safety and well-being, it’s essential to look beyond policies and examine how we shape our environments. If we want to foster healthier, more connected communities, we must listen to young people and design with their needs in mind.