Uplifting Youth Voices to Advocate for Mental Health Policy Reform
NAMI Vermont is launching a new initiative, Uplifting Youth Voices to Advocate for Mental Health Policy Reform. We’re inviting students to get involved!
Our primary call to action is to strengthen youth influence in public policy by engaging young people directly in identifying and advocating for the mental health priorities that matter most to them. Across Vermont, youth continue to face long wait times, inconsistent access to services, and barriers to getting support. Yet too often, policy conversations happen without youth at the table. This project aims to change that by equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and knowledge to advocate for the mental health policy solutions they believe will make the greatest impact.
This project will create a Youth Mental Health Advocacy Cohort composed of high school and college students (ages 14+), along with providers and professionals who work with younger students to amplify their voices. Through training, mentorship with legislators, and hands-on advocacy experiences, participants will identify their top mental health priorities and advocate for meaningful policy change during the 2026 legislative session. The project timeline is from January to June 2026.
Youth will receive support through NAMI Smarts for Legislative Advocacy training, testimony practice, meetings with legislators, and participation in Mental Health Advocacy Day on January 29th. To reduce barriers to participation, assistance with transportation may be available.
Youth-serving organizations will actively support youth engagement and ensure a safe, inclusive environment for their involvement. This initiative will help elevate youth perspectives and build the next generation of mental health leaders in Vermont. We will continuously update this page with more information. Please stay tuned! Learn more about NAMI Vermont’s advocacy efforts at namivt.org/advocacy.
Roles & Objectives
Role: Identify mental health priorities and advocate for policy change.
Objectives
- Build leadership skills for future advocacy roles.
- Choose the issues they want to focus on.
- Participate in advocacy training and testimony practice.
- Develop personal stories and databased messages.
- Meet with legislators during the 2026 session.
- Join Advocacy Day and other events.
- Give feedback to shape project materials and strategies.
Role: Bring forward the needs of younger children who cannot advocate directly.
Objectives
- Connect younger children, families, schools, and policymakers.
- Share themes and concerns observed among younger children.
- Translate developmental needs into policy insights while protecting privacy.
- Provide context on early childhood mental health challenges.
- Ensure policy recommendations reflect all age groups.
- Help make advocacy materials age-appropriate and inclusive.
Role: Support youth participation, safety, and skill building.
Objectives
- Help evaluate the project and apply youth feedback.
- Recruit diverse youth participants.
- Provide safe, supportive spaces for youth to learn and share.
- Work with NAMI Vermont on training, mentorship, and logistics.
- Help with transportation and coordination for events.
- Offer expertise on youth mental health, especially for younger children.
Role: Listen to youth and act on their mental health priorities.
Objectives
- Keep youth voices included in mental health policy discussions.
- Meet with youth to hear their experiences and recommendations.
- Explain how the legislative process works and where youth input matters.
- Invite youth to testify or speak at hearings.
- Support or sponsor legislation aligned with youth priorities.
- Mentor youth as they learn policymaking.
Once you’re ready, please fill out the interest form below!