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April 23, 2008

State Mental Health Association Launches Youth Leadership Training

On March 13, 2008 family and child advocates from the Mental Health Association in PA’s county affiliates gathered in Harrisburg for one day training. The training focused on involving youth in MHAPA affiliate’s advocacy and system reform efforts.  The goal is to develop skills and programs which support the development of youth leadership. This is an emerging best practice and has benefits for everyone. 

Several MHAPA affiliates helped launch this new initiative by selecting representatives with an interest in supporting youth leadership to attend.  Following this initial training, MHAPA plans to co-sponsor regional trainings with affiliates where more interested stakeholders can attend.

The training will be based on the expertise of Youth Trainer, Mike Reber, MHA of Allegheny County and the SAMSHA Youth Involvement in Systems of Care: A Guide to Empowerment.  Mike has been involved in Youth Leadership activities in Allegheny County for several years, and is a founding member and co-director of Youth Outreach Union, a peer support organization, www.youthoutreachunion.org. Mike has also been active in state and national level youth leadership efforts, including the new OHMSAS Youth Advisory Sub-committee, the PA Office of Children, Youth and Families Youth Advisory Panel and has been assisting counties to set up youth advisory groups.

Excerpt from the SAMHSA Youth Empowerment Guide:

Who Benefits From Youth Involvement?

Everyone does! Youth, families, adults, organizations, policymakers, and communities as a whole benefit t when young people have a voice that is listened to, respected, and utilized within systems of care. Youth engagement can assist in a successful transition to adulthood by providing training and opportunities such as budgeting, public speaking, program development, and peer advocacy. Young people are able to learn and enhance their skill sets in supportive environments. The entire system of care community benefits from the knowledge and abilities of young people.

Involving young people enhances systems from the lives of individuals and families to organizations, programs, and the community. Authentic youth involvement means that young people are engaged and have opportunities to have their voices heard and utilized and adults and youth share power in decision-making.