VOiCEup Berks

YVC Youth Mental Health Initiative

At VOiCEup Berks, we're proud to champion a youth-driven and youth-led approach to mental health education. Our Youth Mental Health Initiative is all about empowering young people to take the lead in creating a community that values mental health and supports one another.

About the Initiative

Our youth-led initiative is dedicated to bolstering mental health awareness and support through various avenues:

QPR Suicide Awareness Training: We provide students with the tools and training to recognize signs of distress and intervene effectively, putting the power to save lives directly in their hands.
Education and Peer-to-Peer Discussions: We facilitate open and honest conversations about mental health among students, giving them a platform to share their experiences and support each other in a safe and understanding environment.
Student-Led Projects: We empower young leaders to take charge of projects that normalize mental health conversations, challenge stigma, and promote overall well-being within their schools and communities.

Impact and Success

In our inaugural year (2023-2024), our youth-driven approach has already made a significant impact:

Youth Mental Health Ambassadors: 21 passionate young individuals have stepped up as Youth Mental Health Ambassadors, driving forward initiatives to support their peers' mental health.
Workshops and Campaigns: Over 100 high school students participated in our youth-led mental health workshop, and our ambassadors launched a county-wide campaign for Mental Health Awareness Month, spearheading crucial conversations and breaking down barriers.
QPR Training: We've equipped 87 students from 10 high schools with QPR Suicide Awareness Training, empowering them to play an active role in supporting their peers' mental well-being.
Advocacy: Eight YVC Youth Mental Health Ambassadors traveled to the State Capitol in Harrisburg to speak with state representatives and senators, advocating for more student mental health resources.

Join Us

As we look ahead to our second year, we're excited to expand our reach and continue our youth-led mission. If you're a young person passionate about mental health advocacy and eager to make a difference in your community, we invite you to join us as a Youth Mental Health Ambassador. Contact Lindsay Sites at Lindsay@voiceupberks.org for more information.

Together, let's harness the power of youth leadership to create a community where mental health is valued, stigma is erased, and support is readily available for all. Join us in making a difference today.