As the school year comes to a close, we’d like to spotlight the members of our Youth Health Advisory group (YAG) graduating this year. Students participating in YAG engage in activities and projects that advocate for SBHC services across the state. Their work supports youth to advance health care access for their peers, share expertise on health-related topics and give important youth voice to the field of school-based health care.
Lucy joined YAG in 2023 because she wanted to encourage her peers to utilize the SBHC services at her school in Albuquerque.
One of Lucy’s projects while participating in YAG was providing mental health resources for transgender students at her school through social media posts and physical flyers.
Becoming a YAG member has also helped strengthen Lucy’s understanding of the importance of accessibility in sexual and reproductive health care. “As teenagers and young adults in our formative years, having access to confidential sexual and reproductive healthcare can make a huge difference,” she said.
Lucy plans to major in education and philosophy and hopes to later work at Albuquerque Publics Schools as a teacher. She said YAG has exposed her to new ideas and helped her become more confident in leadership roles.
Her advice for new YAG members is, “Be passionate about your projects,” she said. “Having personal stakes and investments will ultimately lead to a larger impact.”
If you or someone you know would like to join the Youth Health Advisory Group in the next school year, reach out to Wilma at wilma@nmasbhc.org or visit our YAG page for more information.