USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital is introducing a new youth empowerment series aimed at helping young people and their families navigate some of the most urgent issues facing today’s youth, from gun safety and mental health to digital risks and puberty.

According to a news release, the six-session series begins Jan. 26 and will feature board-certified physicians, educators and law enforcement professionals providing research-based guidance and practical tools. Sessions will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Strada Patient Care Center located at 1601 Center St. in Mobile.

Hospital leaders said the program was developed in response to growing concerns among families about safety, online exposure and adolescent development and the need for trusted information from local experts.

“We are committed to supporting the health and well-being of children beyond the walls of our hospital,” Deborah Browning, MSN, RN, CENP, chief executive officer at Children’s & Women’s Hospital said in the release. “These sessions will offer families tools and resources they can use when navigating difficult or challenging moments.”

The series opens Jan. 26 with “Gun Violence and Fostering a Safer Community,” presented by USA Health trauma surgeon Ashley Williams Hogue, M.D., and Joshua Jones, hospital-based violence intervention program director for USA Health. The discussion will focus on prevention strategies and community safety.

On Feb. 9, Andre King of Mobile County Public Schools will lead “Digital Citizenship and Social Media Safety,” addressing responsible online behavior and ways families can manage risks tied to social media platforms.

The Feb. 23 session, “Drug Awareness Facing Our Youth,” will feature Terry Sexton of the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, who will discuss current trends in substance use and prevention strategies. Mobile County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Lori Myles will also share a personal story.

Mental health will be the focus March 9 during “Behind the Smile: Understanding Teen Mental Health,” presented by Kristin Rager, M.D., MPH, a specialist in adolescent and young adult health at USA Health.

Two sessions are designed specifically for preteens and their parents. On March 2, Reshvinder Dhillon, M.D., a pediatric emergency medicine physician, will present “Guy Talk: Puberty and Beyond,” for boys ages 10 and up. On March 16, Tracy Roth, M.D., an adolescent OB/GYN specialist, will host “Girl Talk: Puberty and Beyond,” for girls ages 10 and up.

Per the release, the youth empowerment series was developed by Courtney Thomson, RNC-NIC, pediatric education community outreach coordinator for Children’s & Women’s Hospital, as part of a broader effort to promote healthier, safer communities by equipping families with reliable information and support resources.

“We believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow up healthy, confident, and supported,” Thomson said. “By launching this lecture series, our hospital and health system are continuing to invest in the next generation — offering them knowledge, resources and a community that stands behind them.”

Attendance for each session is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information, contact Thomson at ccthomson@health.southalabama.edu.