This past weekend, I drove into Albany to support the NYS Youth Mental Health Advisory Board as they got the opportunity to speak to representatives from the Office of Mental Health and Office of Addiction Services and Support. Admittedly, after the hustle and bustle of the hour-long drive in and the frantic search for a coffee shop on the way, I had already come into it deflated. Still, I reviewed my paperwork and meeting recordings to prepare myself for the day and give my best to the youth.
Youth as young as 12 years old all the way to 18-year-old high school seniors poured in, sitting together and murmuring with their bagels from the hotel catering stations. Listening to my coworkers turn on the microphone and tell the group about their plans for the day, I encouraged myself to connect with my breath and be mindful of the events of the day. I don’t regret that for one moment.
It was not long until I started to forget about my troubles when I watched these young people getting excited for their time together with team-building games and crafting. There was a deep sense of community among these youth. They tried to include one another no matter what part of New York they were from, how old they were, or how introverted or extroverted they were. I couldn’t help but feel a tightness in my throat when I was moved by the sight of it. I started to make my own craft and felt the shared sense of joy.
Discussions started, and I was impressed by these young people’s ability to articulate the real issues their peers were facing. They were insightful, clear, and considered nuance. The weight of their passion for their communities weighed heavily on my heart. It is a beautiful thing how young people can reinvigorate our hope. Seeing youth speak up can be like a life raft that brings us back to the ebb and flow of life when we feel like we are drowning in the despair that we see in the news. Despite the turbulent times, these youth showed up and spoke out.
I was grateful to be present and part of this event. Along with these passionate young people, I was also able to meet Sarah Kuriakose from OMH and Paola Snyder from OASAS. Witnessing the active listening and the full engagement they demonstrated towards the youth people in their midst was refreshing.
I was honored to help facilitate these round table conversations and watch these young people step out of their comfort zone to grow as leaders.
