Home | PA Youth Adv 2024

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Students advocacting for Excused Mental Health Days in the Harrisburg Capitol Rotunda

BUILDING A SAFETY NET FOR TEEN MENTAL HEALTH IN PA

The PA Youth Advocacy Network aims to create a space for youth and adults to work together to elevate teen voices around mental health and make the systems changes teens want and need.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Calling all creative high school students in PA!

We have an exciting creative advocacy *contest* opportunity to round out 2024! Create a piece of art responding to one of the prompts below and be entered into a contest to:

*win an Amazon gift card
*be featured in a publication on teen mental health
*have your work included in a virtual art gallery on the PA Youth Advocacy website

Contest deadline: December 20, 2024

Prompt options:
• What does mental health mean to you?
• How do you and your friends support each other’s overall wellbeing?
• If you had a day to just focus on bringing happiness to yourself, what would you do?
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Contest the Rules:
1. Submit your artwork responding to one (1) prompt via the link in bio
2. Follow @payouthadvocacy on Instagram
3. Sign the Excused Mental Health Day petition on our website
Prize Details:
• Grand Prize: 1 winner (Prize Amount: $100 Amazon gift card)
• Platinum Prize: 3 winners (Prize Amount: $25 Amazon gift card)
**Winners will be announced via email and featured here!

Let your imagination go wild and create magic!✨

#creativeadvocacy #mentalhealthmatters

Calling all creative high school students in PA!

We have an exciting creative advocacy *contest* opportunity to round out 2024! Create a piece of art responding to one of the prompts below and be entered into a contest to:

*win an Amazon gift card
*be featured in a publication on teen mental health
*have your work included in a virtual art gallery on the PA Youth Advocacy website

Contest deadline: December 20, 2024

Prompt options:
• What does mental health mean to you?
• How do you and your friends support each other’s overall wellbeing?
• If you had a day to just focus on bringing happiness to yourself, what would you do?
---
Contest the Rules:
1. Submit your artwork responding to one (1) prompt via the link in bio
2. Follow @payouthadvocacy on Instagram
3. Sign the Excused Mental Health Day petition on our website
Prize Details:
• Grand Prize: 1 winner (Prize Amount: $100 Amazon gift card)
• Platinum Prize: 3 winners (Prize Amount: $25 Amazon gift card)
**Winners will be announced via email and featured here!

Let your imagination go wild and create magic!✨

#creativeadvocacy #mentalhealthmatters

Looking for a way to get involved in Teen Committee?
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Have a project you need some youth support with?
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Apply NOW for the PA Youth Advocacy Network's Fall Leadership opportunities! Applications are due by September 10, 2024. 🔗 in bio to apply!

Looking for a way to get involved in Teen Committee?
...
Have a project you need some youth support with?
...
Apply NOW for the PA Youth Advocacy Network's Fall Leadership opportunities! Applications are due by September 10, 2024. 🔗 in bio to apply!

A few weeks ago, members of the PA Youth Advocacy Network gathered to reach out to their local legislators about #ExcusedMentalHealthDaysinPA Thank you Mohammad for your help putting this together!

If you want to host your own Legislative Outreach Session for your school/organization, email us and we can send your own *new* toolkit!

A few weeks ago, members of the PA Youth Advocacy Network gathered to reach out to their local legislators about #ExcusedMentalHealthDaysinPA Thank you Mohammad for your help putting this together!

If you want to host your own Legislative Outreach Session for your school/organization, email us and we can send your own *new* toolkit!

We’ve officially reached over 100 signers in support of Excused Mental Health Days in PA! Our supporters cover 22 out of 67 counties in the Commonwealth! Sign the petition at the 🔗 in bio to help us get support from each county in the state 💪🏻🧠 #mentalhealthishealth

We’ve officially reached over 100 signers in support of Excused Mental Health Days in PA! Our supporters cover 22 out of 67 counties in the Commonwealth! Sign the petition at the 🔗 in bio to help us get support from each county in the state 💪🏻🧠 #mentalhealthishealth

Hear from some of our youth advocates about the recent summer series school mental health spotlight they attended last week! Join us for our next summer series session where we will be making a zine on Tuesday, August 6 at 5:00 pm!

Hear from some of our youth advocates about the recent summer series school mental health spotlight they attended last week! Join us for our next summer series session where we will be making a zine on Tuesday, August 6 at 5:00 pm!

We've made a lot of progress so far on moving the Excused Mental Health Day bills forward in PA. Now it's time to really kick it into gear as the legislative session will end in December 2024.

Join us on July 30th from 4:00-5:30 pm via Zoom to work with other teens in PA and reach out to your local legislators to make sure that the bills get voted on NOW. 📢

Sign up at the 🔗 in bio!

We've made a lot of progress so far on moving the Excused Mental Health Day bills forward in PA. Now it's time to really kick it into gear as the legislative session will end in December 2024.

Join us on July 30th from 4:00-5:30 pm via Zoom to work with other teens in PA and reach out to your local legislators to make sure that the bills get voted on NOW. 📢

Sign up at the 🔗 in bio!

Our Teen Committee was hard at work today meeting with @senatorjohnkane and his staff to strategize how we can pass SB886!

Want to be a part of the change? Sign up to join the Teen Committee at the 🔗 in our bio and make your voice heard!

Our Teen Committee was hard at work today meeting with @senatorjohnkane and his staff to strategize how we can pass SB886!

Want to be a part of the change? Sign up to join the Teen Committee at the 🔗 in our bio and make your voice heard!

Join us this summer for our Teen Summer Series! Each month we will host 2 virtual meetings for youth where we will hear from you about what you care about and where you want change. Visit our website to sign for our teen committee and get involved.
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6/21 - Teen Committee Legislative Meeting: Meet with legislator around SB886
6/25 - Mental Health Caucus Presentation Work Meeting: Work on excused mental mental health day slides for upcoming presentation to the Mental Health Caucus
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7/9 - Youth Project Areas Focus Group: Share your thoughts on advocacy areas that you care about. Brainstorm with peers ways you can start making change in your community.
7/23 - School Mental Health Focus Group: Share what mental health resources you have at your school with other teens across PA.
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8/6 - Zine Workshop: Work with other PA teens to make a Zine highlighting mental health curriculum
8/20 - Roundtable Panel: share about the work you’ve done this summer with adult stakeholders in PA interested in supporting youth advocates.

Join us this summer for our Teen Summer Series! Each month we will host 2 virtual meetings for youth where we will hear from you about what you care about and where you want change. Visit our website to sign for our teen committee and get involved.
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6/21 - Teen Committee Legislative Meeting: Meet with legislator around SB886
6/25 - Mental Health Caucus Presentation Work Meeting: Work on excused mental mental health day slides for upcoming presentation to the Mental Health Caucus
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7/9 - Youth Project Areas Focus Group: Share your thoughts on advocacy areas that you care about. Brainstorm with peers ways you can start making change in your community.
7/23 - School Mental Health Focus Group: Share what mental health resources you have at your school with other teens across PA.
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8/6 - Zine Workshop: Work with other PA teens to make a Zine highlighting mental health curriculum
8/20 - Roundtable Panel: share about the work you’ve done this summer with adult stakeholders in PA interested in supporting youth advocates.

May was Mental Health Awareness Month and our youth advocates and network partner organizations were busy! Check out all they did around the Teen Mental Health Awareness Day Statewide Proclamation and the many County Proclamations throughout the month 📢📢📢

Read more about the proclamations at the link in our bio 🔗

May was Mental Health Awareness Month and our youth advocates and network partner organizations were busy! Check out all they did around the Teen Mental Health Awareness Day Statewide Proclamation and the many County Proclamations throughout the month 📢📢📢

Read more about the proclamations at the link in our bio 🔗

Congratulations to the 2024 Youth Thriving Summit panelists from the PA Youth Advocacy Network who shared how they use their voices to make a change for youth mental health! #pghstudythriving

Congratulations to the 2024 Youth Thriving Summit panelists from the PA Youth Advocacy Network who shared how they use their voices to make a change for youth mental health! #pghstudythriving

🗣️Calling Allegheny County High School Teens! PA Youth Advocacy is collaborating with The Pittsburgh Study and youth across the county on a FREE youth-designed and youth-led Youth Thriving Summit at the University of Pittsburgh.

👥Gather with peers to gain support around challenges you face daily including mental health, relationships, finances, advocacy, and sharing your story. Space is limited. Register now at the link in our bio! #youthvoicematters

🗣️Calling Allegheny County High School Teens! PA Youth Advocacy is collaborating with The Pittsburgh Study and youth across the county on a FREE youth-designed and youth-led Youth Thriving Summit at the University of Pittsburgh.

👥Gather with peers to gain support around challenges you face daily including mental health, relationships, finances, advocacy, and sharing your story. Space is limited. Register now at the link in our bio! #youthvoicematters

The Allegheny Youth Voting Huddle convened 53 students from 11 area high schools to learn how each vote can make a difference in elections from the local to the national level.

Special thanks to our co-organizers @lwvpgh @ncjwpgh @payouthvote @newpennsylvania @thecivicscenter @apapgh @payouthadvocacy 🔗Link in bio.

The Allegheny Youth Voting Huddle convened 53 students from 11 area high schools to learn how each vote can make a difference in elections from the local to the national level.

Special thanks to our co-organizers @lwvpgh @ncjwpgh @payouthvote @newpennsylvania @thecivicscenter @apapgh @payouthadvocacy 🔗Link in bio.

During this National School Social Work week, we want to thank School Social Workers who advocate daily for students and their families.

Learn more about the Network's values at the 🔗in our bio.

#schoolsocialworker #teenmentalhealth

During this National School Social Work week, we want to thank School Social Workers who advocate daily for students and their families.

Learn more about the Network's values at the 🔗in our bio.

#schoolsocialworker #teenmentalhealth

🗣️Calling Allegheny County High School Teens! PA Youth Advocacy is collaborating with @carnegielibrary @lwvpa @ncjwinc @payouthvote @thecivicscenter @apapgh to hold a Youth Voting Huddle on Friday, March 15th. Space is limited. Register now; link in bio. #youthvote #pavotes #2024Election

🗣️Calling Allegheny County High School Teens! PA Youth Advocacy is collaborating with @carnegielibrary @lwvpa @ncjwinc @payouthvote @thecivicscenter @apapgh to hold a Youth Voting Huddle on Friday, March 15th. Space is limited. Register now; link in bio. #youthvote #pavotes #2024Election

This #BlackHistoryMonth, we celebrate advocates dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of racism on mental health and their commitment to advancing equitable mental health care.

PA Youth Advocacy Network is dedicated to equitable mental health and elevating the diverse voices and perspectives of youth in Pennsylvania (our platform is linked in out bio). We are grateful for all of the work our partner organizations do day in and day out to advance Black mental health care.

Who inspires you this #BlackHistory Month?

#mentalhealth #mhadvocacy #mheducation #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackMentalHealth @arshia_zaidi

This #BlackHistoryMonth, we celebrate advocates dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of racism on mental health and their commitment to advancing equitable mental health care.

PA Youth Advocacy Network is dedicated to equitable mental health and elevating the diverse voices and perspectives of youth in Pennsylvania (our platform is linked in out bio). We are grateful for all of the work our partner organizations do day in and day out to advance Black mental health care.

Who inspires you this #BlackHistory Month?

#mentalhealth #mhadvocacy #mheducation #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackMentalHealth @arshia_zaidi

PA Youth Advocacy Network is committed to supporting and expanding school counseling resources for students. Learn more about the Network's values at the 🔗in our bio.

#schoolcounselor #teenmentalhealth

PA Youth Advocacy Network is committed to supporting and expanding school counseling resources for students. Learn more about the Network's values at the 🔗in our bio.

#schoolcounselor #teenmentalhealth

Founder and Executive Director of @letsbaketheworldabetterplace @sophiefontecchio visited Pittsburgh recently to share her nonprofit’s mission and provide Mental Health Care Packages kits to 20 area schools and youth orgs.

Thanks for sharing your #youthadvocacy work with us, Sophie!

More at link in bio. @thebeaconpgh @basd_yap

Founder and Executive Director of @letsbaketheworldabetterplace @sophiefontecchio visited Pittsburgh recently to share her nonprofit’s mission and provide Mental Health Care Packages kits to 20 area schools and youth orgs.

Thanks for sharing your #youthadvocacy work with us, Sophie!

More at link in bio. @thebeaconpgh @basd_yap

Everyone experiences stress. It’s important to know healthy ways to cope that work for you. Here’s some ideas to get you started!

#mentalhealth #mhadvocacy #mheducation

Everyone experiences stress. It’s important to know healthy ways to cope that work for you. Here’s some ideas to get you started!

#mentalhealth #mhadvocacy #mheducation

On Thursday, January 18th, the PA House of Representatives’ Education Committee passed House Bill 1519 out of committee - thanks to the hard work of @repnapoleonnelson and the youth voices that advocated for the Excused Mental Health Days in Harrisburg on November 15.

This is a step that only about 25% of proposed legislation makes it to and is cause for celebration! But more so, it's a call to action. With the bill moving to the next level, we need more people to be aware of why it's necessary.

Thank you, Rep. Nelson for this bill, now let's make it law!
🔗in bio to Take Action on PA Mental Health Days!

#youthmentalhealth #excusedmentalhealthdays #youthadvocacy

On Thursday, January 18th, the PA House of Representatives’ Education Committee passed House Bill 1519 out of committee - thanks to the hard work of @repnapoleonnelson and the youth voices that advocated for the Excused Mental Health Days in Harrisburg on November 15.

This is a step that only about 25% of proposed legislation makes it to and is cause for celebration! But more so, it's a call to action. With the bill moving to the next level, we need more people to be aware of why it's necessary.

Thank you, Rep. Nelson for this bill, now let's make it law!
🔗in bio to Take Action on PA Mental Health Days!

#youthmentalhealth #excusedmentalhealthdays #youthadvocacy

Want to learn more about Senate Bill 886? Check out these frequently asked questions for more information.

🔗You’ll find more about “PA Mental Health Days” at the link in our bio.

#mentalhealth #mhadvocacy #mheducation

Want to learn more about Senate Bill 886? Check out these frequently asked questions for more information.

🔗You’ll find more about “PA Mental Health Days” at the link in our bio.

#mentalhealth #mhadvocacy #mheducation

Make your voice heard and join a movement for change!

Our advocacy series convenes youth across Pennsylvania to learn key advocacy skills and develop a project to share their perspectives around mental health to improve their community.
Learn more & join today. Link in bio. #youthmentalhealth #youthadvocacy

Make your voice heard and join a movement for change!

Our advocacy series convenes youth across Pennsylvania to learn key advocacy skills and develop a project to share their perspectives around mental health to improve their community.
Learn more & join today. Link in bio. #youthmentalhealth #youthadvocacy

Happy New Year! We're sharing some healthy resolutions to help start the year off right.

What healthy resolutions would you add to this list?

#mentalhealth #newyear #resolutions

Happy New Year! We're sharing some healthy resolutions to help start the year off right.

What healthy resolutions would you add to this list?

#mentalhealth #newyear #resolutions

We're looking forward to making an impact with you in 2024!
#newyear #youthadvocacy #youthmentalhealth

We're looking forward to making an impact with you in 2024!
#newyear #youthadvocacy #youthmentalhealth

We are grateful for the support of the Teen Mental Health Collaborative, a network of youth serving organizations who support teen mental health which includes Allies for Children. Advocacy and action like our Harrisburg Advocacy Day are possible when partners, participants, and allies stand together.

Read their blog about the day at the link in our bio. #networkpartners #teenmentalhealth #youthadvocacy

We are grateful for the support of the Teen Mental Health Collaborative, a network of youth serving organizations who support teen mental health which includes Allies for Children. Advocacy and action like our Harrisburg Advocacy Day are possible when partners, participants, and allies stand together.

Read their blog about the day at the link in our bio. #networkpartners #teenmentalhealth #youthadvocacy

ICYMI: Read more about our trip to Harrisburg with over 100 students from 10 counties to participate in a Student Mental Health Advocacy Day. 🔗 in bio.

#youthadvocacy #youthvoice #teenmentalhealth #excusedmentalhealthdays

ICYMI: Read more about our trip to Harrisburg with over 100 students from 10 counties to participate in a Student Mental Health Advocacy Day. 🔗 in bio.

#youthadvocacy #youthvoice #teenmentalhealth #excusedmentalhealthdays

More than 100 students from 18 youth-serving organizations and schools from 9 counties across Pennsylvania met with more than 25 legislators Wednesday to advocate for excused mental health days.

Thank you to the youth and advisors who joined us, the legislators who met with youth, and to @senatorjohnkane @senjudyschwank & @repnapoleonnelson for welcoming us to the Capitol and supporting #teenmentalhealth.

More than 100 students from 18 youth-serving organizations and schools from 9 counties across Pennsylvania met with more than 25 legislators Wednesday to advocate for excused mental health days.

Thank you to the youth and advisors who joined us, the legislators who met with youth, and to @senatorjohnkane @senjudyschwank & @repnapoleonnelson for welcoming us to the Capitol and supporting #teenmentalhealth.

✍️SHOW YOUR SUPPORT. 🔗 Petition @ link in bio.

We are currently advocating for proposed legislation that would allow Pennsylvania students to have a limited amount of excused mental health absences without requiring a doctor’s note.

Not only would this further align PA with 12 other states who have already passed similar legislation, but it would allow for the connection between mental health resources and students while amplifying the notion that mental health is as valued as physical health.

#teenmentalhealth #youthadvocacy #excusedmentalhealthdays

✍️SHOW YOUR SUPPORT. 🔗 Petition @ link in bio.

We are currently advocating for proposed legislation that would allow Pennsylvania students to have a limited amount of excused mental health absences without requiring a doctor’s note.

Not only would this further align PA with 12 other states who have already passed similar legislation, but it would allow for the connection between mental health resources and students while amplifying the notion that mental health is as valued as physical health.

#teenmentalhealth #youthadvocacy #excusedmentalhealthdays

✍️Senate Bill 886, co-written by teens, would grant Pennsylvania students mental health days. This bill has not yet been signed into law & WE NEED YOU.

🗣️Share a story, observation, or argument to explain to lawmakers why mental wellness days matter.

🔗 in bio.

✍️Senate Bill 886, co-written by teens, would grant Pennsylvania students mental health days. This bill has not yet been signed into law & WE NEED YOU.

🗣️Share a story, observation, or argument to explain to lawmakers why mental wellness days matter.

🔗 in bio.

In #5MoreDays we will travel to Harrisburg to share our advocacy platform with legislators.

Our platform is committed to #teenmentalhealth, equity and inclusion, removing barriers & ensuring that our efforts are youth driven and open to community feedback. #youthadvocacy

In #5MoreDays we will travel to Harrisburg to share our advocacy platform with legislators.

Our platform is committed to #teenmentalhealth, equity and inclusion, removing barriers & ensuring that our efforts are youth driven and open to community feedback. #youthadvocacy

Youth mental health is in crisis. We need change now. This is our why. #ExcusedMentalHealthDays #MentalHealthisHealth

Youth mental health is in crisis. We need change now. This is our why. #ExcusedMentalHealthDays #MentalHealthisHealth

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