Youth Advisory Council
MHA’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) Mission Statement:
Our mission is to raise awareness, break stigmas, offer hope, and promote mental wellness through youth led mental health advocacy, education and prevention.
MHA of Central Carolinas is excited to introduce our 2024 Youth Advisory Council!
Check out the bios of our amazing youth and young adult advocates! Keep an eye on our social media pages for updates on the groundbreaking work the YAC is doing!
Grey Gerrard (she/they) is a rising senior at Phillips Exeter Academy. Grey states “spreading awareness and providing support for youth who are struggling with their mental health is important to me because I want to use my story for positive change and give back to my community”. Outside of mental health advocacy, some of their interests include creating fragrances for their small perfume business, working behind the stage on plays and dance concerts at school, and playing tabletop games.
Joy Su (she/they) a high school sophomore located in the Triangle, who’s passionate about mental health. Previously, she worked as a part of Iowa Youth Congress in drafting and advancing HF658 while teaching middle schoolers as a part of Meta’s Engineer for the Week. On most days, you can find her watching cat videos or enjoying buttered toast.
Kemar Whitton (he/him) is an aspiring therapist who has a deep passion for helping people improve their mental health and well-being. From a young age, Kemar was drawn to the field of psychology and the profound impact that mental health support can have on individuals and communities. As he progressed through his education, his interest in therapy only grew stronger. Kemar believes that therapy should be a collaborative process, where the therapist and client work together to identify and address the root causes of mental health concerns, ultimately empowering individuals to lead more fulfilling and balanced lives. As he continues to pursue his dream of becoming a therapist, he is driven by the belief that mental health support should be accessible to all.
Maicy Metzgar (she/her) is a sophomore at Hickory Ridge High. She is passionate about helping people who may be struggling with their mental health or don’t know how to address it. She believes it’s very important to be able to talk about mental health freely and to advocate for the people in our community. She hopes in her role on the council she will be able to help many people and change their perspectives on mental health. In her free time, Maicy is a competitive dancer, a runner for cross country, and a Girl Scout who is working on her Gold Award, related to mental health.
Maila Perez (she/her) hopes to make a difference for teens all around and be able to show them that it’s okay to not be okay. Maila states “I cannot wait to see how many great ideas this program comes up with in order to help more teens feel as though they are not sitting at the bottom of the hole where they feel secluded or alone.”
Nathan Lanning (he/him) is a senior at Myers Park High School who is a strong advocate in the mental health field and is seeking to pursue a more active role as a member of MHA’s Youth Advisory Council. Nathan seeks to help educate people by explaining his own circumstances and the circumstances of those around him that shaped his interest in the mental health field to begin with. Outside of interest in the aforementioned topics he maintains personal interests in literature/films.
Roger Cornejo (he/him) is currently a business administration student at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, working toward a bachelor’s degree in international business at a four-year university after completing his associate degree. He loves learning new things, whether it’s through school, work experiences, or exploring new places. His internship and volunteer experiences started his passion for nonprofit work, particularly in supporting small communities. Additionally, Rogers involvement with mental health and minority issues in his community fuels his dedication to making a positive impact wherever he goes.
Ryan Harris (he/his) is a rising junior at Davidson College, majoring in Psychology. He also runs on the Track and Field team for the Wildcats. Ryan developed the passion for being an advocate for improving mental health in part, due to his own experience with mental health struggles, as well as through the links he has seen firsthand between how mental health and physical health are interconnected. Ryan hopes to be a resource and inspiration for future generations to continue to learn and educate each other about the importance of mental health.
Are you passionate about mental health? Are you a youth or young adult ages 15-21 years old? Do you have lived experience with mental health challenges and are looking for a way to make an positive impact? 2025 Youth Advisory Council Application: Click Here
Use Your Voice For Change
MHA’s Youth Advisory Council Will:
- Meet a minimum of once per month for 90-minutes, for a 6-month period from April-September
- Engage in focus groups discussing issues pertaining to youth mental health
- Participate in at least one youth-led event
YAC Members Will Receive:
- A meaningful volunteer opportunity that will build leadership skills
- Free mental health certificate trainings
- An MHA T-shirt
- A stipend at the end of the 6 month period
For more info and to apply, scan the QR Code. Questions? Contact:
MHA Youth Outreach & Education Specialist Rebekah Collins
Email: Rcollins@mhaofcc.org
Direct line: 704-559-1978