OUR VOICE: The Official Website of the Statewide Young Adult Council (SYAC)
Please see our links to hear our thoughts on mental ‘health’ and how you would like to join us in improving the health of our peers
About us
THE CONTENT ON THIS LINK WAS DISCUSSED AT THE NOVEMBER 15TH, 2007 STATEWIDE YOUNG ADULT COUNCIL MEETING AND AT THE NOVEMBER 29TH, 2007 DMH TRANSITION AGE YOUTH TRAINING CONFERENCE
Who we are:
The statewide young adult council (SYAC) is a motivated and bright group of young adults between the ages of 16 to 29.
We are hopeful and enthusiastic about creating positive change in the way the Massachusetts department of mental health serves us and our friends.
We do this by bringing our “lived experience” to the table and making “our voice” heard.
What we stand for:
The council has stated that we want the larger community to view us as those that recover, fit in the world, and become independent.
The council also wants the world to know that mental illness has not taken away anything from us but given us THE courage and determination to do great things.
Our vision for EACH ONE OF US AND Our friends is that of individuals who are not letting mental illnessES stop her or him from moving forward and fighting for what is good.
The ultimate goal for us is being a role model.
We desire to use our experience to help our friends be enlightened and empowered advocates. WE WANT TO encourage freedom, justice, and enlightenment.
What we want to achieve:
We want other young peoples’ voices to be heard. We want our friends to know the you're not alone.
We want to eliminate stigma (DISCRIMINATION AGAINST SOMEONE BECAUSE THEY MIGHT HAVE EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTY).
WE WANT YOUNG PEOPLE TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES ONLY.
WE WANT TO ACHIEVE AN ELIMINATION OF RESTRAINT AND SECLUSION.
WE WANT OUR FRIENDS TO HAVE MORE SUPPORT WITH THEIR PEERS AND MORE INTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY.
WE WANT TO FIND THE ABILITY TO GIVE MORE THAN WE RECEIVE AND TO ALWAYS BE THERE FOR OTHER PEOPLE.
WE WANT TO EMPOWER OUR FRIENDS TO REALIZE THEIR POWER TO CONTROL AND DETERMINE THEIR DESTINY.
OUR VOICE: The Official Website of the Statewide Young Adult Council (SYAC)
A word from our sponsors
The statewide young adult council (SYAC) was established in April 2007 by the Massachusetts Department of mental health’s transition age youth initiative.
The statewide young adult council serves as an advisory board to the department of mental health (dmh). The syac was created for young adults (ages 16-29) who are or have been involved in the dmh system. DMH’S GOAL IS to GIVE YOUNG ADULTS AN AVENUE TO voice their concerns and needs.
The syac serves as an advisory board to DMH. IT ALSO purposes to connect local area youth councils.
Dmh’s vision for the syac is the development of young adults who will make important contributions to themselves, their peers, and the commonwealth of Massachusetts,
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATEWIDE YOUNG ADULT COUNCIL, PLEASE CONTACT:
Jessel-Paul Smith
STATEWIDE YOUNG ADULT COORDINATOR (DMH)
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Click here to read an interview about recovery