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YouthWell Youth Advocacy Board

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The Youth Advocacy Board is a leadership program for high school students hosted by YouthWell.

We select 1–2 students from each public and private high school in Santa Barbara County to represent their campus and help strengthen youth mental health in our community.

Students will:

Learn about youth mental health
Build leadership and advocacy skills
Lead projects and outreach on their campuses
Gain experience in communication, collaboration, and public speaking

QUESTIONS: email YAB@YouthWell.org or call/text 805.770.1503

YAB FAQ's

YAB COMMITMENT

COMMITMENT

TIME

YAB members commit to serving on the board for 9 months [August-May] 8-10 hours/month
Early start over summer is an option [June-July]

MEETINGS

1 monthly virtual meeting
1 monthly in-person meeting in your local cohort (North, South, & Mid County)
2 in-person retreats

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications to become a YAB member are accepted biannually - May Recruitment & December New Additions.

Accepted applicants are appointed in June each year. YAB internship begins in August of each year.

YAB is a 9-month commitment (Aug-May) with monthly virtual meetings and additional in-person meetings in your community. Early summer start is available (Jun-Jul)

YAB BENEFITS

YAB MEMBERS WILL LEARN...

YAB members learn about current issues and community resources.
YAB members participate in team-building exercises that build character, improve communication, and reduce prejudice and stigma around mental health.
YAB members design campus campaigns and activities.
YAB members gain leadership tools that include planning, facilitating, public speaking, program planning, evaluation, and group decision-making.
YAB serves as an advisory committee to the YouthWell Collaborative and Youth Linkages Network to provide a student voice.
YAB members raise awareness and eliminate stigma around mental health by promoting self-care and kindness through connection, prevention, education & outreach activities!
YAB members receive COMMUNITY SERVICE hours!

MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION

Learn about current issues, how to recognize the warning signs of a mental health challenge, and how to connect someone to available community resources. Receive Teen Mental Health First Aid training.

LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY TRAINING

Participate in team-building exercises that improve communication, build character, and reduce prejudice and stigma around mental health. Strengthen leadership skills by getting experience in program planning, facilitating, public speaking, evaluation, and group decision-making.

COMMUNITY & CAMPUS OUTREACH

Help design and implement campus campaigns for your school that bring awareness to mental health, and educate on the warning signs and resources in the community.

YAB Retreat

DATE/TIME TBD
REGISTRATION TBD

Hosted by YouthWell

This in-person retreat is designed for high school students throughout Santa Barbara County who are passionate about learning how to advocate for issues they believe in. The day allows driven students to develop leadership and advocacy skills, with a focus on community engagement, eliminating stigma, and prioritizing mental wellness.

Students gain tools that help amplify their voices on issues that matter to them from community experts and by participating in break-out groups with other students throughout SB County.

meeting calendar

YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD

2026-2027 MONTHLY YAB MEETINGS
**transportation provided [in-person meetings] for students in North and Mid County.
**virtual mtgs will be 1-2 hours monthly between 5:00-7:30pm.

SCHEDULE TBD

2026-2027 IN-PERSON - LOCAL COHORT MEETINGS (in your community - north, south, or mid county)
**in-person mtgs will be 1-2 hours monthly between 5:00-7:30pm.