BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Mental Health Advocates WNY has expanded its services by hiring counselors who are trained to use their own lived experiences to connect with at-risk youth. The peer advocate would work with children from all different communities ages 9 to 18.
“A lot of youth are feeling disconnected from others. Social isolation has become a bigger thing, so our YPA’s are definitely in demand,” says Karl Shallowhorn, director of Youth Programs Mental Health Advocates WNY.
The YPA’s must be 18 to 30 years old and have experiences that at-risk youth can relate to.
“All of the youth advocates have been in the childcare system in some form or another, so they know what it’s like to have gone through these experiences. They can tell someone 'I’ve been there, this is what I did',” Shallowhorn says.
Shallowhorn tells 7 News reporter Yoselin Person the risk of suicide is increasing among teens.
“Especially among the youth of color it’s increasing, but the problem is we don’t talk about it,” he says. “So a lot of the youth feel isolated and if they do have these feelings they don’t want to share anything because they’re afraid of what’s going to happen.”
BestSelf Behavioral Health also has a similar program growing for peer mentoring to help kids in the classroom.
“At BestSelf we try to do preventative work. We’re in over 50 schools in Western New York and Niagara County talking to with these young kids, young adults,” says Khalil Carr. “And they’re letting us know that they’re dealing with these mental health adversities in schools, at home, and through social media.”
Carr says parents and community members should get more involved with kids.
"Get involved with these kids not through just sports, but also through who they are and what they’re dealing with,” he says. “Because once they understand you’re a comfortable person to talk to then it’ll help them.”
If you are interested in becoming a Youth Peer Advocate click here.
