VOiCEup Berks

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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.
Website: check out our youth-developed website for this initiative HERE!

Join Us

As we look ahead, 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.