The 2022-2023 Mental Health America Young Mental Health Leaders Council (YMHLC) represents younger leaders from throughout the U.S. who’ve created applications and initiatives that fill gaps in conventional psychological well being companies of their communities. This yr’s cohort is working to deal with psychological well being throughout many areas together with training, housing, foster care, habit restoration, and state-level coverage.
Over the following a number of weeks, get to know the ten wonderful people utilizing their lived expertise and youth perspective to make large variations within the lives of these round them.
Name: Crystal Widado
Pronouns: they/them
Location: Los Angeles, California
School: Glendora High School
Leadership and different positions: Intersectional psychological well being activist and scholar journalist
Social media: @crystalwidado on Instagram and @CWidado on Twitter
Photo submitted by Crystal Widado
Why did you wish to be a part of the YMHLC?
Throughout the previous couple of years of my very own advocacy journey, I’ve been in search of extra people who’re dedicated to not simply spreading consciousness, however bringing actual and sustainable change to their particular person communities. Thus, I’m honored to be part of MHA’s YMHLC cohort, which has stood out to me as a bunch of people dedicated to discovering options and mitigating the psychological well being disaster.
Tell us about your work and pursuits.
I’m enthusiastic about constructing solidarity and sustainable organizations throughout the psychological well being advocacy discipline. In the previous few years, I’ve led a number of youth organizations corresponding to Mind Out Loud, Each Mind, and local people organizations towards a extra intersectional understanding of psychological well being and taking motion to guard marginalized communities.
What is the most important lesson you may have discovered from different YMHLC members?
Through my fellow YMHLC members, I’ve discovered how a lot work must be executed on each an inside and exterior stage. While there may be clearly a rising psychological well being disaster on the market that must be addressed, my cohort has taught me a lot about reimagining organizing to be extra sustainable and democratic for all.
What are your psychological well being advocacy objectives?
Too a lot of the established order revolves round addressing surface-level points in an individualistic lens and never a collective battle in opposition to methods of oppression. I hope to be part of the change that builds a extra sustainable, but crucial, discipline for myself and younger folks round me.
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Funded, partially, by a donation from JCPenney.
