My name is Morgan, and I am a junior at Nashua High School North. Two years ago, I co-founded a mental health club with other students at my school. After participating in the Magnify Voices Art Contest this past year, I began volunteering with YouthWell New Hampshire. I’ve loved advocating for youth mental health across the state through these opportunities!
At our school, our mental health club’s goal is to de-stigmatize mental health and encourage students to seek help. We’ve focused on raising awareness of our school’s mental health resources and making them more accessible. However, as a student-run group, we’ve faced challenges in recruiting new members and brainstorming effective ways to advocate for student mental health.
To address this, one of the initiatives I’m currently working on is the creation of a statewide, youth-driven, youth-focused, and youth-facilitated group centered on youth mental health, known as YouthWell Voices. I believe there’s a great opportunity to bring together students from across New Hampshire who are interested in mental health or are already involved in mental health clubs at their schools. I hope to create a space where we can meet regularly to share resources, discuss challenges, and collaborate on advocacy efforts to reduce stigma and raise awareness about mental health in our schools.
Additionally, I am passionate about educating others on mental health and recognize the importance of mental health education in our schools. With YouthWell Voices, I would love to advocate for mental health education and explore how we can implement this curriculum in our classrooms on a statewide level.
With the support of YouthWell New Hampshire, we can access training opportunities, connect with local advocacy groups, and explore programs and resources throughout the state. We hope to advocate for youth mental health at the statehouse, attend mental health conferences and workshops, and engage in speaking opportunities within our communities. The goals and direction of YouthWell Voices will be decided by the members, allowing us to tailor the experience to what’s most important to us.
If any students you know would be interested in joining YouthWell Voices, I would love to connect. Please feel free to reach out to me at Morgan.elise.barry@gmail.com. I look forward to making a difference in our state!
