Mental Health Young Adult Advisors (MH-YAA)

The Mental Health Young Adult Advisors (MH-YAA) - the very first of its kind - has graduated over 25 young adults in its advocacy training on mental health for transition aged youth. The purpose of the training is to provide young adults with skills to be advocates for themselves and other youth to create positive changes in San Francisco’s public mental health system.

This training covers topics of advocacy, mental health, and the stigma surrounding mental illness.  MH-YAA identifies the challenges and discrimination that face youth advocates and provides public speaking tools so that youth can rise above and become effective advocates.  Participants learn about the structure of San Francisco’s Community Behavioral Health Services, become familiar with the Mental Health Services Act and become aware of the various City groups and commissions that are available to hear their thoughts.  MH-YAA is a hands-on training that promotes youth involvement and results in the creation of their very own policy recommendation for bettering the mental health system.

MHA-SF is looking to develop as many youth advocates as possible; the youth voice is a vital component to our future.  If you are interested in this training, please take a look at our sample curriculum and contact Kathleen Casela, our Young Adult Advocate, at 415.421.2926x302 or kathleen@mha-sf.org!