We believe in the power of peer support and lived experience. That’s why our youth programs are built for teens, by teens!
Our programs are open to youth ages 14-18, who are interested in building a community with like-minded peers, passionate about mental health, and excited to make changes in their community. Are you a teen who is interested in volunteering? Check out our programs below!
Join NAMI’s Youth Council and develop your leadership skills! If you’re passionate about mental health, join this teen-led council to share your perspective and raise awareness for mental health in your community.
Youth Council members meet once to twice a month and help plan, promote, and volunteer at events like fundraisers, social events, and advocacy campaigns. The Youth Council is also a platform for youth to share their perspectives on what young people need to support their mental well-being, and to help inform and improve our youth programs.
Please note that our program only considers applicants who reside in one of NYC’s five boroughs and are between 14-18 years old.
Our Youth Council offers 3 cohort tracks. Please read below for more information before submitting your application. You will be asked to rank your choices. We do our best to place you in the cohort requested; however, based on interest, we may not be able to honor your first choice.
Are you interested in community outreach or marketing? Our Youth Brand Ambassadors lead initiatives that help raise mental health awareness & promote NAMI-NYC programs in your school and community. Brand Ambassadors participate in activities such as:
Start a NAMI OnCampus High School mental health club at your school to promote awareness, education, and peer support.
Create and lead mental health social media campaigns to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and share helpful resources.
Represent the youth team at school and community outreach events by tabling, distributing resources, and engaging with students and community members.
Plan and host mental health events, such as awareness weeks, workshops, guest speaker presentations, or wellness activities.
Present at Youth Council meetings by sharing updates, collaborating with other youth leaders, and contributing ideas to advance mental health initiatives.
Are you interested in policy and advocacy? Our Youth Advocacy Ambassadors gain the skills to assess the mental health issues & policies impacting NYC teens and advocate for improved mental health support and resources in your school and community. Advocacy Ambassadors participate in activities such as:
Research school and community policies that impact youth mental health and identify opportunities for advocacy.
Conduct a teen mental health survey at your school to gather student perspectives and identify areas of need.
Participate in advocacy nights by creating posters, flyers, postcards, or drafting emails to support mental health initiatives.
Attend City and/or State Advocacy Day to meet with policymakers and advocate for improved mental health policies.
Create an advocacy-focused social media campaign to raise awareness about a mental health issue or policy that matters to you.
Represent the youth team at school and community events by tabling, sharing resources, and engaging with students and community members.
Present at Youth Council meetings by sharing advocacy updates, discussing projects, and collaborating with fellow youth leaders.
Are you interested in directly supporting your peers? Our Youth Peer Supporters gain the skills to provide mental health education and support to peers in your school and community. Youth Peer Supporters participate in activities such as:
Participate in mental health workshops to strengthen your social, emotional, and peer support skills.
Join a focus group to help develop the Youth Mental Health 101 curriculum and ensure it reflects youth perspectives.
Complete facilitator training to deliver the Youth Mental Health 101 workshop to your peers.
Lead a Youth Mental Health 101 workshop for a group of peers at your school, a community event, or through a virtual platform.
General Participation Requirements:
Attend the Youth Council Orientation and the subsequent training required for your selected cohort, dates TBD
Attend monthly meetings on Tuesday evenings, 6 – 7 PM EST on Zoom. The expectation is to not miss more than 3 of these meetings.
Volunteer at and participate in relevant events and program activities throughout the year. You must be present in-person or coordinate with Youth Peer Support staff to receive volunteer credit hours.
Sign and return all volunteer contracts and parent/guardian permission forms.
Applications are currently on pause. New rounds of applications for our winter and spring cohorts will be released in early December and mid-March. Please check our website for updated information.
If you’re interested in joining our waitlist and receiving an email when onboarding begins again, please fill out the form here.
Absolutely! If you choose to volunteer with us and meet the expectations listed for the program (attending meetings, engaging with your community, etc.), we are more than happy to sign off on community service hours. We can only sign off on hours where you were present either in-person or virtually for a meeting, workshop, or event.
Unfortunately, our teen programs are for youth ages 14-18. However, if you are interested in volunteering with NAMI-NYC, reach out! We can connect you with our adult programs and/or do our best to connect you with programs local to your area!
Unfortunately, youth volunteers are not able to support staff on our Teen Helpline. However, once you are 18, please reach out for more information on how to volunteer with our young adult & adult programs. Those 18 and older can apply to be support group facilitators and can undergo training to support their peers in this capacity.
NAMI –NYC offers free, confidential programs for youth needing support. We offer our Connection Corner twice a week for teens interested in talking with peers about their current or past mental health challenges. Read more about our programs here.
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