Southern Utah University & SBHC Collaborate To Empower Parents At Utah Summer Games

The Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, an outreach initiative of Southern Utah University, has announced a partnership with the Southwest Behavioral Health Center to promote the Parents Empowered initiative throughout the 2025 event season. This collaboration is aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of underage drinking and supporting parents in fostering healthy, alcohol-free lifestyles for their children.

Parents Empowered is a statewide education campaign in Utah focused on ensuring that every child reaches the age of 21 without consuming alcohol. The campaign underscores the importance of brain health and development during adolescence, a critical period when the brain is still maturing. Research indicates that children start forming perceptions about alcohol between the ages of 9 and 13, making early intervention by parents crucial. The American Academy of Pediatrics even recommends beginning these conversations as early as age 9.

As part of the partnership, the Parents Empowered campaign will be prominently featured throughout the Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, which draws participants and spectators from across the state and beyond. This visibility will come through various branding and media opportunities, ensuring that the message reaches a broad audience. The goal is to empower parents with the tools and knowledge they need to have meaningful, transformative conversations with their children about the risks of underage drinking.

The Larry H. Miller Utah Summer Games, a beloved tradition in the state, provides an ideal platform for this initiative. The Games are a celebration of youth, sportsmanship, and community, making them the perfect venue to discuss the importance of keeping young minds and bodies healthy. By integrating the Parents Empowered message into this popular event, the partnership aims to create a positive impact on families throughout Utah and neighboring states.

Parents Empowered promotes a proactive approach to parenting, emphasizing the importance of spending quality time together as a family, engaging in fun activities, and maintaining open lines of communication. The initiative also encourages parents to be knowledgeable about the harms of underage drinking and to take an active role in their children's lives. Through these efforts, Parents Empowered seeks to create a safer, healthier future for Utah's youth.