When Mya Brewer came away from a conference in Topeka recently, she noted that “it was a great opportunity to speak up and speak out.”
Brewer, Hoisington Middle School eighth grader, and a couple of her Barton County Youth Crew peers attended Youth Mental Health Advocacy Day at the State Capitol to discuss substance use, prevention, resources and more.
“I enjoyed sharing my thoughts with those who could help me make a positive change,” Brewer also noted.
Esmae Trimble, Great Bend Middle School seventh grader, commented that state lawmakers “sounded like they truly wanted to help youth and better our communities.”
These Youth Crew members, along with their peer, Braelyn Komarek, Great Bend High School freshman, met with Rep. Sherri Brantley and Sen. Tori Blew.
Tyler Morton, prevention advocate at Juvenile Services, said this advocacy day “gives young people a platform to speak directly to legislators who make decisions that impact them and their peers. Youth from all over Kansas came together to talk about what is important to them.
“It also gives adults time with our lawmakers and other leaders to discuss program goals and report on our successes, as well as some projects that didn’t work out.”
The opening presentation focused on Kratom and 7-OH, which are new drug trends. “These are both highly addictive and not approved by the Food and Drug Administration,” Morton emphasized.
Other topics were cell-phone policies in schools, suicide-prevention resources and social media as it pertains to mental health.
“Youth Crew appreciates being able to meet with local legislators,” Morton said. “Policy change is part of what we aim for, even with the challenges we face because of the complexity of some issues.
“Having a direct line to Rep. Brantley and Sen. Blew is invaluable. We are grateful for their willingness to spend time with us during the busy legislative session.”
In addition, Youth Crew appreciates the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) for hosting this event through its Youth Leaders in Kansas (YLinK) program.
“They do a great job accommodating young people,” Morton said. “There are many moving parts during the six-hour conference and they continue to go above and beyond. The KDADS team genuinely cares about Kansas youth and understands what they value.”
Nicci Henderson, Youth Crew stakeholder, was the other adult that made the trip to the Capitol.
20th Judicial District Juvenile Services empowers youth in Barton, Rice, Ellsworth, Stafford and Russell counties to achieve positive outcomes by offering Juvenile Intake & Assessment, Immediate Intervention, Intensive Supervised Probation, Case Management, Journey to Change, Life Skills, All Stars and Youth Crew. Parents and guardians also are offered The Parent Project. Visit 1800 12th in Great Bend or call 620-793-1930.
