Youth Mental Wellness Awareness Council
You Don't Have to
Go Through It Alone
Experience the transformative power of a listening ear! Through developing new friendships, learning new skills, and building meaningful connections, you'll discover new opportunities for growth and belonging
4 in 10 high school students across the country report feeling persistently sad or hopeless
In the Antelope Valley, young people carry real challenges...
- Mental Wellness Challenges - Increasing rates of anxiety, depression, stress, and feelings of isolation can affect emotional well-being and daily functioning.
- Academic and Career Uncertainty - Pressure to succeed in school, prepare for college, and navigate a rapidly changing workforce can create significant stress.
- Economic Hardship – Many young people face financial instability at home, food insecurity, housing challenges, or limited access to opportunities.
- Social Media and Digital Pressures – Constant online exposure can contribute to cyberbullying, unhealthy comparisons, misinformation, and reduced self-esteem.
- Community Violence and Safety Concerns – Exposure to violence, crime, or unsafe environments can impact a young person's sense of security and long-term development.
- Lack of Connection and Belonging – Many youth struggle to find trusted adults, supportive peer networks, or positive community spaces where they feel valued and understood.
Program
What we do here
The ACT Youth Mental Wellness Awareness Council** is a leadership council for Antelope Valley youth, ages 10–17 where middle and high school youth come together to break the stigma around mental health, build real coping skills, support one another, and lead change in their community.
**This isn’t a therapy group. It’s a leadership council. You learn. You practice. You present. You plan events. And you’re supported by every step of the way by ACT staff and your peers.
Break the Stigma
Mental wellness is part of the whole health. You'll learn the facts, challenge the myths, and help your community understand what it really means to be well
Build Real Skills
From breathing and grounding to setting boundaries and asking for help, you'll leave with practical tools for tough times, the same evidence-based skills taught in social-emotional learning programs.
Get Involved
Lead Your Community
Youth ambassadors present at schools, plan awareness events, and create social media campaigns that reach thousands of young people across the AV. Your voice and your story become part of the change.
Community Involvement
Lead your community
Youth ambassadors present at schools, plan awareness events, and create social media campaigns that reach thousands of young people across the AV. Your voice and your story become part of the change.
Mental Wellness basics & help-seeking
One-on-one conversations with a trained wellness advocate, plus warm referrals to licensed therapists in the community who are taking new clients.
Stress, coping skills & grounding
Build your personal toolbox for managing hard emotions and stressful moments.
Support systems, belonging & safe relationships
Map who's in your corner and learn how to be that person for someone else.
Digital wellness, sleep, body & daily routines
Practical, evidence-based mindfulness techniques adapted for busy lives — breathing exercises, grounding practices, and body-based tools you can use anywhere.
Identity, hope, culture, and self-efficacy
Celebrate who you are, where you're from, and where you're going.
Youth advocacy, resilience, and community action
Use your voice. Share your story. Help change your community without burning out.
Mental Wellness Resources
You don't have to wait, and you don't have to handle it alone.
Need support right now?
You don’t have to wait, and you don’t have to handle it alone.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988
- LA County Department of Mental Health ACCESS Line: 1-800-854-7771 (24/7)
For immediate danger, call 911
The Antelope Valley Well-Being Center operated by Parents Anonymous provides:
- Parent support groups
- Youth support groups
- Individual and family therapy
- Case management
- Crisis intervention resources
Their mission is to support parents, children, youth, and families through accessible mental health and wellness services.
Trauma, Abuse Prevention, and Family Support
The Children’s Center of the Antelope Valley (CCAV) offers programs designed to help children, youth, and families navigate difficult life circumstances while building resilience and emotional well-being. Services focus on healing, prevention, and family support.
Many parents in the Antelope Valley are looking for help with:
- Anxiety and depression in teens
- Social media and technology concerns
- School-related stress
- Family communication
- Grief and trauma
- Behavioral challenges
The Parents Anonymous Well-Being Center and Child & Family Guidance Center are often good starting points because they work with both the child and the family system.
If you’re involved with a nonprofit, school, church, or community organization in the Antelope Valley, I can also provide a list of free or low-cost youth mental health programs, support groups, mentoring programs, and family resource centers in the area.
You Have Questions. We Have Answers.
We know reaching out can feel uncertain. Here are answers to the things people most often want to know before they connect with us.
The Youth Mental Health Awareness Council is an education and awareness program. It is not therapy, counseling, or diagnosis. If you or someone you know needs clinical care, ACT staff can help connect you to the right support.
Yes. Everything you share is confidential and follows HIPAA privacy guidelines. The only exceptions are situations involving imminent safety concerns, as required by law.
No. While our mental wellness services connect deeply with our other programs, they are open to any youth or family in the Antelope Valley community.
A member of our team will follow up within 48 hours for a friendly, no-pressure conversation to understand what kind of support would be most helpful for you.
Yes. We have an anonymous support request option. You can submit your situation without sharing your name, and our team will still respond with resources and guidance.
We'll always connect you to the right resource. We have established relationships with licensed therapists, crisis centers, and mental health organizations throughout the Antelope Valley.
Join the Council
Program Manager: Arnold@act4avyouth.org (661) 648-6794