Youth Health Action Team
Youth Health Action Team (YHAT)
Volunteer opportunity now open!
What is it: A Youth-led volunteer team for people 14 to 24, with as diverse a community represented as possible, focused on mental and behavioral health for themselves and their peers in Pima County
Who supports it: The YHAT is supported and hosted by the Pima County Public Library (PCPL) and the Pima Behavioral Health Coalition (PBHC)
What is the goal: The YHAT will spread awareness of the importance of youth health and of the ongoing crisis in youth mental health
What does it do: Whatever projects the team collectively decide on that address youth health in our community
How do I find out more about the YHAT:
This team has two sessions, Fall and Spring, and we are now accepting applications for the Spring, which will run from February 19th to May 31, 2024.
Applications are available with a deadline of February 14th, followed by the orientation on Monday, February 19th. We will meet in-person for two hours once a month (optional) and virtually for one hour a month (required).
In addition, you will be expected to work four hours independently with your group on projects you have chosen to support the mental health of youth in Pima County. This is a volunteer position, but all youth will receive a $100 gift card at the completion of their projects by May 31st.
Apply for the Executive Board: Youth Health Action Team
Paid opportunity now open!
If you are SUPER passionate about youth mental health and can commit more of your time and energy, we also have an exciting opportunity for youth in Pima County to apply to serve on the Youth Health Action Team Executive Board.
How do I find out more about the Executive Board?
PBHC is seeking three young people between the ages of 14-24, who currently live in Pima County, to become members of our Youth Executive Board for a 3.5 month term, February 19, 2024-May 31, 2024. Youth Executive Board Members will play a critical role in informing the work of the coalition by providing their perspective on various mental health issues youth currently face in Pima County.
Applications and all the details are available here
With a deadline of February 14th, followed by the orientation on Monday, February 19th.
Recent Posts
Teen Mental Health Collections
Mental Health Providers Serving Tweens and Teens In Tucson
You are not alone
Reading about Anxiety
Partners & Community Supporters
Previous Health Action Team Projects
This year, the Team's interns worked on individual bookmarks. Each bookmark has a pro mental health message on the back. Find them at your local library. Be sure to check out the full collection!
Original Health Action Team Interns
The Health Action Team empowers youth to share, create community connections, and produce art as a way to process their experience and address topics of youth health in the community. Part of addressing mental health is addressing the stigma that surrounds mental health issues. Stigma and self-stigma prevent real communication, understanding, and empathy with those involved. Health Action Team youth are frank about the issues that they face. Frank talk combats stigma by putting issues out in the open, so that any reader faced with similar challenges knows they are not alone.
I’m Aleena with the Health Action Team, and I joined to be an advocate for other teens. My relationship with youth health is rocky. Unfortunately, my best friend committed suicide about two years ago. It really influenced me to join the program because I wanted to help prevent it for others. As a teen, I know it can be hard to reach out for help, especially since I always want to be independent and self-reliant. Hopefully, I can connect with teens similar to me and help them open up and get the help they need.
I am in 11th grade. When I graduate, I would like to go to college and earn a major in either Biotechnology or Marine Biology. After earning a degree, I want to commission into the Air Force. I hope to have tons of pets when I get a house of my own.
Outside of school, I do the Navy JROTC program and have a staff position as Bravo Company Senior Enlisted. I am the connection between enlisted personnel and higher-ranking officers. I am also the Biotechnology CTSO club president. The club helps teach the community about different scientific things and research recent scientific discoveries.
Learning Space
- Canva basics (11min) Canva is free publishing software, go to Canva to sign up.
- How to Use Canva for BEGINNERS! (1:40min)
- Canva YouTube editor
Project Examples
This project is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.