Youth MOVE Massachusetts Newsletter

Youth MOVE Massachusetts is a program of the Parent/Professional Advocacy League

August 11th, 2025 | Issue 12

Grieving Loudly in a World That Stays Quiet

Written by Ashley Smith, a Youth MOVE Massachusetts Intern

I ran out of the house in my robe and slippers. The air was heavy. Looking at the house at that moment, it felt unfamiliar; darker, colder. It didn’t feel like home. In front of me: an ambulance, a fire truck, and a swarm of police cars. I stood frozen, watching the stretcher being wheeled toward the front door. My heart pounded, but my body wouldn’t move. The EMTs paused in the doorway.

They didn’t rush in like they usually do. No urgency. Just stillness. Then, they turned around and rolled the empty stretcher back toward the ambulance. A car drove past me slowly while I stood there, tears sliding off my chin and into my hair, soaking through my shirt. A pair of detectives stepped out, walking with the kind of calm that only shows up after it’s too late. This is how I found out my friend had died. She had been doing drugs for a while. That part wasn’t a secret. Not constantly, but enough that it started to concern me. Enough that it became part of her life. But it wasn’t addiction in the way people usually think of it. It wasn’t some long spiral downward. It was supposed to be just another night. None of us thought it would end like this. Not then. Not her.

What followed was a flood of emotions I couldn’t make sense of all at once: rage, guilt, confusion, grief. I wondered what exactly she took that night, and whether it was laced, but deep down I knew that wouldn’t change anything. Maybe it would give a name to the monster that took her. It wouldn’t undo what happened. It wouldn’t bring her back. And it wouldn’t erase the rage I felt when I heard people laughing in the same house where she had taken her final breaths. I wanted to confront the person who gave the drugs to her. I wanted answers from the adults who knew she was struggling and said nothing. I wondered what would’ve happened if one of us had checked on her. I wondered if I had done enough. I still replay it all. The texts I didn’t send, the signs I might’ve missed that day. The silence that followed...

Young Adult Resources: Advocacy

Youth advocacy is a powerful way for young people to make a difference in their communities. Whether it's speaking up about mental health, climate change, or education, using your voice can lead to real change. At first, getting involved might feel overwhelming, but even small actions, like joining a student group or sharing your ideas, can have a big impact. As you learn more and gain confidence, you’ll realize that your voice really does matter and you have the power to shape the future.

UNICEF Youth Advocacy Guide

The Art of Mental Health Advocacy

Social Media Spotlight

YMM's social media accounts are made by youth for youth! We share tips and educational content about mental health, youth, and advocacy to create a safe space for young people to learn and connect. Check out some of our posts:

Mental Health Mini Activity

Write to Your Legislator

Writing to your elected official is a powerful way to advocate for an issue you care about. Legislators value input from their community members, especially when it's clear, respectful, and backed by personal experience or community impact.

To start, use the proper title and address for your legislator:

For a MA State Senator:

[Month Day, Year]

The Honorable [Full Name]

Massachusetts State Senator

State House, Room # [ ]

Boston, MA 02133

Dear Senator [Last Name],

For a MA State Representative:

[Month Day, Year]

The Honorable [Full Name]

Massachusetts State Representative

State House, Room # [ ]

Boston, MA 02133

Dear Representative [Last Name],

Next, make sure to introduce yourself clearly. Say you are a constituent, meaning you are a voting member of a community, and mention where you live (city or district). Include any relevant personal or professional background (e.g., student, parent, health worker).

Example: "I am a high school student from [Town Name] and a member of my school’s youth advocacy group."

Then, you can bring up the issue you are writing about. Be clear and direct about the purpose of your letter here. If you are writing about a specific law or piece of legislation, include the bill number and name (e.g., HB105 or SB210).

Example: "I’m writing to urge you to support HB105, which would expand mental health services in schools."

Explain why this issue matters to you using 2-3 strong points. Personalize it. How does this issue affect you, your family, or your community? What is your lived experience surrounding the issue? If you can, find other facts and statistics to back up your reasoning or experiences.

Example: "At my school, we only have one counselor for over 400 students. This makes it nearly impossible for teens to get help when they need it."

Make sure you are respectful and professional in your writing. Always use a polite and civil tone, even if you disagree. Be confident and direct, but not aggressive.

Lastly, close by asking for a specific action (vote on a bill, sponsorship, etc.). Include your contact info and ask for a reply. If you don’t get a response in a couple of weeks, you can follow up with another letter.

Here’s an example letter:

August 11th, 2025

The Honorable Jane Smith

Massachusetts State Senator

State House, Room #111

Boston, MA 02133

Dear Senator Smith,

My name is Emily Johnson, and I am a 17-year-old student at Pine Hills High School in your district. I’m writing to urge you to support HB105, which would expand access to school-based mental health services in Massachusetts.

At my school, we have one counselor responsible for more than 400 students. While they do their best, it's simply not enough to meet the mental health needs of our student body. I have classmates who have waited weeks to talk to someone after experiencing anxiety or personal crises. This lack of support not only affects our well-being but also our ability to succeed in school.

HB105 would help schools hire more counselors and create safe spaces where students can talk about mental health without stigma. I believe this bill would make a real difference in students’ lives, not just at my school but across the state.

Please consider voting in favor of HB105. If you need additional information, I would be happy to share more about how this issue impacts students in our district. Thank you for your time and service.

Sincerely,

Emily Johnson

123 Maple Lane

Pine Hills, MA 15234

emily.johnson@email.com

(111) 123-4567