Spotlight on Young Adults is a quarterly newsletter dedicated to promoting resources, perspectives, and organizations that support youth and young adult (YYA) advocates, advocates for YYA, and YYA-serving professionals.
Reach out to our YYA Lead Kristin Thorp to let us know what you think of Spotlight on Young Adults! What would you like to see more of? Who do you want to hear from?
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Glenn County Transition Age Youth Center |
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Glenn County Transition Age Youth Center offers youth-driven wellness programming for youth ages 14 to 24. They organize youth-oriented activities like expressive arts, peer support, mentoring and counseling, and youth leadership groups. The TAY Center encourages youth to express themselves and to make meaningful and positive decisions to support the successful transition to adulthood. In their words, “We believe youth thrive when they know their voice is heard and valued and that the people who are in charge know that youth can make a difference.” The Center hours are Monday through Friday, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Be sure to check out their social media pages to learn more about events and opportunities!
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Meet Nghia Do
After struggling with depression, Nghia Do became passionate about youth mental health. He advocates for improved mental health systems for youth by running a youth-led organization, YouthMindsAlliance. Nghia's organization aims to promote well-being by raising awareness about the importance of mental health and by providing resources, education, and support to young adults. YouthMindsAlliance has been rapidly expanding their reach—in the past week alone, they have tripled their membership from 40 student members to 120! Recently, Nghia spoke at the 2021 CHMACY Conference. He's also been ambitiously dedicating his time to transforming the California mental health systems through the work of Assembly Bill 1378 to implement peer-to-peer programs within high schools.
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Partner Showcase: Evolving Minds
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Evolving Minds is a mental health non-profit offering resilience and mindfulness-based educational programs for students, educators, and non-profits. They offer programming for youth leaders and educators grounded in developing resilience and mindfulness skills that build community, create a culture of care, and cultivate human connection amongst community members. Check out the “Our Evolving Minds” podcast to learn more about their work!
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Featured Event: Learning Community for Young Professionals Working with Young Adults
May Topic - Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention
Fourth Wednesday of Each Month
Next Session: Wednesday, May 26
(Wednesday) 3-4 p.m. PT / 12-1 p.m. HT / 11 a.m.-12 p.m. American Samoa
(Thursday) 10-11 a.m. Marshall Islands / 9-10 a.m. Pohnpei, Kosrae / 8-9 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Yap / 7-8 a.m. Palau (view your time zone)
Come join us every fourth Wednesday of the month for the opportunity to connect with others who share concern and passion for developmentally appropriate and appealing systems and supports for youth and young adults. Maybe you're a peer support provider or a new professional with lived experience working in mental health advocacy. Whatever your role, if you are a young adult professional seeking to make peer-to-peer connections and develop your professional capacity, this learning community serves as a forum to learn and build skills with other mental health workforce professionals.
This month, we’ll have a guest presenter, Victoria Eckert from Youth MOVE National, talking about suicide prevention! Victoria will be offering the training “Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention.” This community-based presentation covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to fight suicide. This is an evidence-based training from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Attendees will learn the risk and warning signs of suicide, and how together, we can help prevent it.
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The Mental Health Impacts of Surviving COVID-19: Implications for School Mental Health Systems Leaders and Providers
A Conversation with Survivors and Long-Haulers
Friday, June 25
(Friday) 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. PT / 7:30-9:00 a.m. HT / 6:30-8:00 a.m. American Samoa
(Saturday) 5:30-7:00 a.m. Marshall Islands / 4:30-6:00 a.m. Pohnpei, Kosrae / 3:30-5:00 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Yap / 2:30-4:00 a.m. Palau (view your time zone)
How might the experience of surviving COVID-19 and experiencing long-haul COVID-19 impact mental health? What can and should we as school mental health providers and leaders understand about that experience?
Join us for a special conversation with three survivors of COVID-19, all of whom identify as long-haulers, people who “have not fully recovered from COVID-19 weeks or even months after first experiencing symptoms” (Harvard Health). Like Derek, Karla, Mieka, and Jessica, “some long haulers experience continuous symptoms for weeks or months, while others feel better for weeks, then relapse with old or new symptoms." This conversation is crucial, especially as schools begin or resume learning in person. As our speakers will share, trauma may be now surfacing because people aren’t needing to focus on surviving; this trauma is surfacing as schools are reopening and as survivors are beginning to process their experience and new realities. While this conversation will focus on young people and the contexts of schools, we welcome all to join us.
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New Youth & Young Adult Peer Services Learning Series
Trauma Informed Youth Peer Support: An Essential Tool for Supporting Youth
Monday, July 12
(Monday) 3:00-4:30 p.m. PT / 12:00-1:30 p.m. HT / 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. American Samoa
(Tuesday) 10:00-11:30 a.m. Marshall Islands / 9:00-10:30 a.m. Pohnpei, Kosrae / 8:00-9:30 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Yap / 7:00-8:30 a.m. Palau (view your time zone)
This workshop will walk participants through the foundations of trauma-informed care, including its principles and philosophy, why trauma-informed care is important, and strategies for incorporating trauma-informed practices throughout youth peer support services. It is critical for peer providers to understand trauma and its impact on many of the youth and young adults they will be working with. This workshop will provide concrete examples of what trauma-informed practice looks like in action and how to apply this philosophy within peer relationships.
Exploring Ethics and Boundaries in Youth Peer Services: Maintaining Professional and Caring Relationships with Youth Adults Receiving Peer Support
Monday, July 26
(Monday) 3:00-4:30 p.m. PT / 12:00-1:30 p.m. HT / 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. American Samoa
(Tuesday) 10:00-11:30 a.m. Marshall Islands / (;00-10:30 a.m. Pohnpei, Kosrae / 8:00-9:30 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Yap / 7:00-8:30 a.m. Palau (view your time zone)
Ethics and boundaries are critical to any profession, and are especially important in helping professions. There are specific ethical dilemmas related to supporting youth and young adults with mental health and/or substance use challenges. This workshop will describe ethics and boundaries in the context of youth peer support, identify the ethical responsibilities of a peer provider, and discuss strategies to make skilled judgments related to privacy and confidentiality, boundaries of dual relationships, informed consent, mandated reporting, and more. Attendees will come away with a clear understanding of the ethics, guidelines, and boundaries that are essential in youth peer support work.
Filling Your Cup: Self-Care with and for Youth Peers
Monday, August 2
(Monday) 3:00-4:30 p.m. PT / 12:00-1:30 p.m. HT / 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m. American Samoa
(Tuesday) 10:00-11:30 a.m. Marshall Islands / (;00-10:30 a.m. Pohnpei, Kosrae / 8:00-9:30 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Yap / 7:00-8:30 a.m. Palau (view your time zone)
This workshop will focus on the importance of actionable strategies for managing self-care while serving as a youth peer provider. Centered in a holistic definition of self-care that meets each of SAMHSA’s eight dimensions of wellness, the workshop will help each peer understand the value and impact of self-care in their peer role. This topic is of importance to the peer workforce because a strong practice of self-care can counteract experiences of burnout and overwhelm in peer positions. Actionable strategies will be shared, including self-reflection tools and self-care resources.
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Q Chat Space Group for Spanish-Speaking Youth
Every Monday
(Mondays) 4 p.m. PT / 1 p.m. HT / 12 p.m. American Samoa
(Tuesdays) 11 a.m. Marshall Islands / 10 a.m. Pohnpei, Kosrae / 9 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Yap / 8 a.m. Palau (view your time zone)
Conversaciones semanales moderadas en línea entre jóvenes LGBTQI+ en español e inglés
Online facilitated discussion groups for LGBTQI+ teens in English and Spanish
Q CHAT SPACE is hosting a weekly live chat support group for Spanish-speaking LGBTQI+ youth (13-19) every Monday. Like the other Q CHAT groups, there are always two adult facilitators to guide the conversation and ensure it is safe and welcoming. Q CHAT SPACE also hosts a wide array of English-language chat support groups for LGBTQI+ youth (view the Upcoming Groups calendar to learn more).
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Youth-Run Programs Office Hours
Bimonthly on the fourth Thursday
Next Session: Thursday, May 27
(Thursdays) 10-11 a.m. PT / 7-8 a.m. HT / 6-7 a.m. American Samoa
(Fridays) 5-6 a.m. Marshall Islands / 4-5 a.m. Pohnpei, Kosrae / 3-4 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Yap / 2-3 a.m. Palau (view your time zone)
This National Training and TA Center for Child, Youth, and Family Mental Health (NTTAC) series offers a virtual space for those working in and leading youth-run programs and organizations. This space is perfect for leaders of Youth MOVE chapters and other youth-run programs that engage youth with lived mental health experience in change-making. From creating youth programs to exploring peer supports, building sustainability plans, and growing partnerships in communities, youth-run program leaders hold many roles. This bi-monthly space is designed for in-depth conversations with peers, asking questions and sharing resources, and sharing challenges and successes with others.
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Advanced Topics in Strengthening Youth/Young Adult Peer Support: Helping Youth Peer Support Specialists Share Their Stories
Thursday, May 27
(Thursday) 10 a.m. PT / 7 a.m. HT / 6 a.m. American Samoa
(Friday) 5 a.m. Marshall Islands / 4 a.m. Pohnpei, Kosrae / 3 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Yap / 2 a.m. Palau (view your time zone)
In partnership with Pathways Research and Training Center, the Northwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) is pleased to sponsor a series of monthly consultation web-meetings focused on “Advanced topics in strengthening youth/young adult peer support.” Each call will have its own topic, in an area such as skill building, supervision, coaching and training, organizational policies and procedures, hiring and onboarding, and more. This series is intended primarily for peer support specialists, their supervisors, and administrators implementing youth/young adult peer support.
On May 27, join Pathways RTC and Northwest MHTTC to discuss strategic sharing in different contexts. Youth peer support specialists are expected to share their lived experience with youth, parents, fellow professionals and advocacy purposes. We will review various scenarios on how youth peer support specialists can safely share their stories in ways that support their youth and their work.
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Mental Health America 2021 Conference:
From Resiliency to Recovery
Thursday, June 10 - Saturday, June 12 / Online and Onsite in Washington, DC
Beginning each day at 10 a.m. PT / 7 a.m. HT / 6 a.m. American Samoa
MHA’s 2021 Annual Conference is a hybrid event, consisting of a small in-person gathering and a digital conference experience. In addition to a youth plenary, several sessions will focus on how youth and young adult activities can support mental health. These include sports, cosplay and video games, hip-hop, dance, and more.
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Igniting the Spark of Hope: Resilience, Recovery, Renewal - Peer Support Conference
Tuesday, June 22 - Thursday, June 24
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This FREE virtual Region 6 Peer Support Conference 2021 is hosted by our colleagues at the South Southwest Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) and led by the South Southwest MHTTC Peer Support Advisory Committee and Peer Conference Planning Committee. The virtual three-day agenda will provide invaluable professional development and networking for peer support professionals. It will include nationally recognized speakers, interactive panel discussions, and opportunities to learn from and network with peer support professionals from across the region.
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Youth Coordinator Office Hours
Bi-monthly on the Fourth Thursday
Next Session: Thursday, June 24
(Thursdays) 10-11 a.m. PT / 7-8 a.m. HT / 6-7 a.m. American Samoa
(Fridays) 5-6 a.m. Marshall Islands / 4-5 a.m. Pohnpei, Kosrae / 3-4 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Yap / 2-3 a.m. Palau (view your time zone)
This NTTAC series provides a virtual space for those leading and coordinating youth engagement efforts in System of Care and Healthy Transitions grant communities, including, but not limited to: Youth Engagement Specialists and Youth Coordinators, Youth Program Managers, and Youth Peers. This bi-monthly session creates an informal peer space for discussions; connection with peers in the work; and opportunity to request resources, share best practices, and receive coaching from Youth MOVE facilitators.
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Peer Generation: Youth Rising - Online Course
Wednesday, June 30 – Thursday, July 1
(Wednesday and Thursday) 9 a.m.-12 p.m. PT / 6-9 a.m. HT / 5-8 a.m. American Samoa
(Thursday and Friday) 5 a.m. Marshall Islands / 4 a.m. Pohnpei, Kosrae / 3 a.m. Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Chuuk, Yap / 2 a.m. Palau (view your time zone)
This workshop is for anyone wanting to explore youth peer support. Tuition is $180; limited scholarships are available for unemployed peer specialists and youth exploring peer support.
This interactive workshop explores strategies for creating and designing a self-empowered system to support youth on their journey toward a self-identified life of wellness and resiliency. This workshop will provide an opportunity to interact in fun, engaging & experiential sections of the Peer Generation Curriculum developed by youth for youth. However, all ages are welcome. Get ideas about engaging youth through your own experience in the training. Together, we will also explore the power of creating peer support opportunities for youth. The workshop is a balance of experiential activities and useful information that will help build youth programs.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Participants will be provided with information about youth peer support.
- Participants will gain an understanding of the foundations of youth resiliency.
- Participants will learn strategies for self-care and community engagement that promotes peer support.
TIME:
Live online sessions will be 6 total hours. Reading assignments and online discussions will require approximately 1 hour of “outside of classroom” prep time.
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10-Day Challenge
Join Youth MOVE National and NTTAC for a special opt-in challenge! You'll receive a daily email with a 1-minute, 5-minute, and 10-minute challenge (depending on how much time you have each day). Sign up for easy and fun challenges to expand your knowledge about youth engagement, explore a new topic related to youth-serving systems, or meet a new networking partner.
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Share Your Coping Strategy
The Mental Health Experienced & Years Of Understanding (MHE & YOU) Advisory Council is thrilled to launch its annual contest for May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This has been a tough time for many people, so MHE & YOU is hoping that this raffle contest can bring some inspiration and empowerment to people’s lives. We may be physically distant, but we can still be a community.
How to Enter:
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Read contest guidelines.
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Complete the raffle entry template by drawing/painting, writing, taking a photo, etc. about your “favorite healthy coping strategy”: PDF version or JPG version.
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Upload your raffle entry template to http://wshe.es/8QIIZexI, and include your email address.
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Complete your entry to the raffle contest by filling out the Photo Contest Release Form and submitting it to [email protected]
Raffle participants may win up to $100 cash or other prizes. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
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Financial Aid for College: High School Toolkit
Extensive research shows that high schools can make a significant difference in helping low-income, immigrant, and first-generation students complete the FAFSA and other state financial aid applications. The Education Trust NY created a user-friendly toolkit that highlights 10 evidence-based practices to support all seniors – including students experiencing homelessness – to complete their financial aid for college applications. Checklists, timelines, and other features make it a practical resource. Although the toolkit is focused on New York, these best practices can be adapted and utilized nationwide.
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Share your story about being prescribed psychotropic medications while in foster care!
Foster care youth are prescribed psychotropic medications at higher rates than other youth and are more likely to receive treatments with higher risk of causing harm. Psychotropic medications, like antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or antipsychotic medications are capable of affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior. Helen Ouyang, a physician and writer for the New York Times Magazine, is looking to connect to current or former youth in foster care with lived experience being prescribed psychotropic medications while in care. The stories she collects will inform a piece she is writing on the overuse of medications within the child welfare system. If you are interested in being connected to Helen to share your story, please email Kristin Thorp at [email protected] or contact Helen directly at [email protected]
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Youth Activist Toolkit
Young people are leading the movement for change. This guide is designed for youth activists who want to organize for change. It contains tips and tools gathered from youth activists working on issues such as reproductive justice, gun violence, climate change, racial inequity, conflict resolution, and so much more. The goal of the Youth Activist Toolkit is to walk youth through some basic steps an organizer can take to develop a strategy, build collective power, and use that power to create meaningful, lasting change. It also addresses important topics like practicing self-care or resolving group conflict on the path toward victory.
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Contact the Pacific Southwest MHTTC
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Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and content expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
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