SYAC brings together youth, young adults, and providers to advise the Department of Mental Health and other young adult service organizations. We are a collective group who work together to find equity and to advocate for each other. We represent youth and young adults with mental health needs in the state of Massachusetts through personal experience as peers. We believe that mental health is an aspect of character and therefore does not define us.
Young Adult Advocacy Day
SYAC meetings are currently held on the 4th Tuesday of every month from 3:30-5.
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The Statewide Young Adult Council (SYAC) is a subcommittee of the MA State Mental Health Planning Council (SMHPC) and serves as an advisory board to the SMHPC and DMH’s TAY Initiative.
What is SYAC?
SYAC…
- Brings together youth, young adults, and providers to advise the Department of Mental Health (DMH) and other young adult service organizations – ultimately creating a cohesive, supportive network of families, peers and service providers throughout the Commonwealth;
- Seeks to inspire hope and recovery among youth/young adults across the state;
- Empowers youth/young adult voices within DMH;
- Encourages young people to advocate for themselves and to assist them in making their own choices/decisions with transitional life skills, including education, employment, housing, and healthcare;
- Works together to find equality and advocate for all youth/young adults.
Who can attend SYAC meetings?
- SYAC welcomes youth and young adults (age 16+) in MA to participate in meetings!
When are SYAC meetings?
- SYAC meetings are currently held on the 4th Tuesday of every month from 3:30-5.
Where are SYAC meetings?
- SYAC meetings are currently held VIRTUALLY via Zoom. For meeting information or to be sent a calendar invite, please contact the SYAC leadership team.
SYAC Leadership Team:
- SYAC Co-Chair: Colby Mills (he/they) – cmills@ppal.net
- SYAC Co-Chair: Micah Webster (he/him) – micahwebster@brandeis.edu
- DMH Director of Young Adult Services – Heidi Holland (she, her) – heidi.holland@mass.gov
Learn more about the State Mental Health Planning Council here: https://www.mass-smhpc.org/
