MINNESOTA
Advisory Council gets the word out on issues facing youth, including mental health
Rather than try to come up with a definition of what the Youth Advisory Council is, its probably best to let the students who make up the council provide the most accurate explanation for what they and the council are all about: We are youth who are able to recognize the struggles of working within systems and want to make use of our knowledge to improve those systems for current and future generations of youth.
Thats straight from a presentation a partial representation of the council made to the Crookston School Board last week, and what it essentially means is that these kids have been there and done that (or theyre still there and are still doing it), and they want other kids who are facing similar challenges to have the best possible experience and, in turn, the best possible chance for a successful conclusion.
The Youth Advisory Council launched in November of 2007 as part of the Our Children Succeed initiative and the System of Care grant that covers several counties. There are currently 17 YAC members, although Richard Mosher, youth coordinator for Our Children Succeed, said representatives are still needed from three of the six participating counties: Polk, Kittson, Marshall, Red Lake, Norman and Mahnomen.
You have to give them credit with these long distances, he said. They use Roberts Rule of Order, they meet twice a month for three hours in the evening, and even at the end theyre scrambling to get everything done that they need to. Theyre discussing important issues.
Council members who presented to the board represented school districts in Crookston, Thief River Falls, Red Lake Falls and Win-E-Mac. Their plan is to present to all 22 school districts in the participating region. Theyre trying to raise awareness of mental health issues faced by youth while at the same time trying to remove some of the stigmas surrounding mental health issues, not just in society in general but also stigmas that might prevent a young person who could benefit from receiving some help shy away from seeking it in the first place. Were trying to get rid of some of the misunderstandings that prevent people from actually going out and seeking treatment, Mosher explained. Were trying to get youth to realize, also, that they dont have to walk away from the system when they turn 18.
YACs mission is to create, build and coordinate county-wide efforts for youth to see change is possible through developing leadership skills, advocacy skills, and gaining self-sustainability in accordance to their culture and beliefs. That means Council members have to build relationships and network through their involvement in numerous boards and committees. Simply put, they need to be out there and increase their profile. Council members are also researching communities in the region to see what resources already exist for youth who need help, and where there are gaps that, with the councils help, could be filled, Mosher said.
The Council has seven goals:
Participate as voting members or advisors on boards, councils, church groups and youth organizations
Participate on projects that are youth initiated and directed
Increasing trainings for youth in: advocacy, leadership and public speaking
Social events: recreational activities
Fundraising
Increasing volunteerism
Develop or revise policies with increased youth input
This is just a piece to a much larger puzzle, Mosher said. Were getting the word out that youth are around and they have some unique things to say on the issues that are out there.
Mike Christopherson
19 January 2009
