I’ve been advocating for mental health since 2018. During my first three years of advocacy, my voice felt like a blip in a void. Thankfully, this gradually changed. What was once an isolating issue to speak on is now a much larger community — a community consisting of all those who are part of the movement to address the youth mental health crisis.
As this community has grown and the movement has gained momentum, so has the interest from different organizations and institutions who were not previously vocal about mental health. Likewise, those who were part of the ecosystem have increasingly narrowed their sights on how they can improve young people’s mental health across the nation. Unfortunately, for many organizations, it was not until recently that they began to include and, more specifically, co-create with young people. This applies to the larger social impact space as well.
As a “young person” myself, I’ve been asked the common question, “How can we best work with young people?” This question inspired this very blog.
Today, if you ask me what you need to begin working with young people or what is needed to improve how you co-create with us, my answer is simple.
Embrace and actively practice ✨humility✨.
The prerequisite for experimentation
This is especially important in the mental health ecosystem since no one-size-fits-all solutions exist. What works for one individual or community may not work for another. Practitioners, program developers, nonprofits, and other organizations must be open to new approaches and methodologies… which requires humility. This openness stems from acknowledging that they do not have all the answers and that learning is a continuous process.
Working towards equilibrium
When humility is absent, and resistance to change exists, it can create tension and inhibit the potential relationships you are trying to build with young people. When organizations or individuals are unwilling to adapt or listen to young people’s feedback, a push-and-pull dynamic ensues. This scenario is further characterized by a constant struggle between maintaining the status quo and pushing for new approaches– which young people are hungry for and eager to suggest.
Instead, embracing new approaches that may not fit the usual mold can help you find equilibrium in relationships with young people, creating space for co-mentorship and a mutual give-and-take dynamic.
Moving forward
The next time you have the chance to work with young people, I hope you look forward to challenging yourself to actively practice humility. A few actions you can consider include:
- Actively practice humility by listening to young people’s feedback without judgment, establish safe spaces where young people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, and hold yourself and/or your organization accountable to act.
- Foster a culture of co-mentorship, encouraging reciprocal learning and leadership opportunities for young people.
- Encourage experimentation and adaptation by being open to new approaches and viewing failures as learning opportunities.
About the author:
Jorge Alvarez (he/him) is a first-generation Latine college graduate who applies his lived experience with mental illness (anxiety, depression, PTSD, & ADHD) to advocacy for his community and other young people who resonate. As a Social Impact Strategist, Mental Health Advocate, & Creator, he uses his love for storytelling to combat stigma by cultivating space for collective reflection, unlearning limiting beliefs, and breaking cycles both on and offline. He’s grown a community of +130,000 across his social platforms and was recognized by MTV as one of 30 participants to be part of the inaugural Mental Health Youth Action Forum at The White House, where he spoke alongside Selena Gomez, the U.S. First Lady, and the U.S. Surgeon General. Jorge was recognized by the Young Innovators in Behavioral Health Tech Awards and currently works at Active Minds, a national mental health nonprofit. Get in touch at https://www.jorgealvarez.co/.
