Youth MOVE Massachusetts Newsletter

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

May 27th, 2026 | Issue 20

Redefining Family

Written by a Youth MOVE Massachusetts guest blogger

It’s been hard having to deal with a diagnosed mental health challenge for most of my life. Every day, I have to be aware of where my emotions are heading, how low is “too low,” and the difference between seriously wanting to die and just having a really bad day. I have to have the recognition that, at least right now, one of the major reasons for my prolonged stability is taking the right combination of psychiatric medications consistently every day. Having to deal with all of that, and adding a clear lack of family support on top of it, made my journey to my now-almost-fourth year of stability much harder.

Growing up in a big family, as a relatively happy person, in a relatively safe small town, family was important to me. Being adopted, I already knew family didn’t have to be blood-related, but as far as I was concerned, being part of a family, even an adoptive one, meant that we all looked out for each other. And that even if we had challenges or conflicts, family was family, and you never turned your back on them.

That all changed when I hit an all-time low in my mental health journey when I was 19. I’d been hospitalized off and on about six times over the course of three years before that, but I was always able to change medication, continue therapy, and get back to my life in the community. That year, though, I was hospitalized 13 times, was admitted to and decided to quit partial hospitalization programs twice, and switched therapists multiple times. On top of all of that, all of a sudden, the little emotional support from my family that I had been receiving was taken away...

Young Adult Resources: Navigating Life After High School

With the end of the school year approaching, you may be thinking about your next steps and what you want your future to look like. During big periods of transition, such as leaving high school, it’s common to feel pressure to decide what you want to do with your life. Whether it’s from external expectations or internal worries, the urge to choose the "right" path immediately can be overwhelming. However, it’s important to remember that you have the freedom to explore all your options and choose the path that feels best for you. Your journey is uniquely yours, and you have plenty of time to adjust your plans or change directions along the way. Your future is in your hands!

What Should I Do After High School?

How To Find Your Path After High School

Why Getting Lost Is A Good Thing

Social Media Spotlight

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

Mental Health Mini Activity

Stream of Consciousness Journaling

Journaling or writing down your thoughts is a healthy way to release pent-up emotions, organize your thoughts, and feel more in control. It helps you express and process difficult feelings, whether about specific situations or as a daily practice. It can be hard to get into the habit of writing every day, so a good way to practice is by using a technique called “stream of consciousness journaling.” Every day, set aside 5-10 minutes to sit down and write continuously about whatever comes to mind without worrying about structure or grammar. Practicing this reduces the pressure of deciding what to write by encouraging you to simply put all your thoughts on the page. As you get more used to writing, it will become easier, and you may start to realize that you are feeling better afterwards!

If you are interested in writing or publishing writing you already have, Youth MOVE MA is currently accepting blog submissions for our website!

Write a Blog Post for YMM!

Shoutouts!

Youth MOVE Massachusetts recently had the honor of presenting at the 2026 Pediatric Societies Meeting! YMM's Youth Peer Specialist, Anna Cady Clouse, sat on a panel of youth leaders from across the country to discuss incorporating youth voice into research and development settings.