Hyattsville Youth Council Tackles Mental Health Awareness

The Hyattsville Youth Advisory Council plans to promote online mental health training programs and resources to support their peers.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Hyattsville Youth Advisory Council (YAC), made up of 10 students from local schools, is working to address the challenges youth face in accessing mental health resources. The council discussed plans to expand mental health awareness by promoting online training programs like QPR, Be There Certificate, and Mental Health First Aid, as well as spreading information about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline through social media and community events.

Why it matters

The YAC's focus on mental health awareness aims to ensure that young people in the Hyattsville community have the support they need. By promoting these training programs, the council hopes to equip their peers with the skills to identify signs of mental health struggles and provide appropriate support and referrals.

The details

At their October meeting, the YAC members discussed creating flyers, posters, and social media content to raise awareness about the online mental health training programs and the 988 Lifeline. They plan to coordinate with the city's communications team to release this content for events like World Teen Mental Wellness Day and Mental Health Awareness Month. The council also heard from the city's Children and Youth Programs coordinator, Ronald Lewis, who explained how the QPR, Be There Certificate, and Mental Health First Aid programs work to teach participants how to identify, support, and refer individuals struggling with mental health issues.

  • The YAC's next public meeting is scheduled for December 11, 2026 at 6 p.m. in the Hyattsville Municipal Building.
  • World Teen Mental Wellness Day is on March 2, 2026.
  • Mental Health Awareness Month is in May 2026.

The players

Hyattsville Youth Advisory Council (YAC)

A council of 10 students from local schools, including Northwestern High School, St. Jerome Academy, College Park Academy, and Prince George's Community College, who advise the Hyattsville mayor and city council on issues impacting youth.

Ronald Lewis

The City of Hyattsville's Children and Youth Programs coordinator, who provided guidance and information about the mental health training programs to the YAC.

Litzy Velasquez

A YAC member and junior at College Park Academy.

Anastasia Keith

A YAC member who attends St. Jerome Academy.

Joanne Waszczak

A Hyattsville City Councilmember for Ward 1 who attended the YAC meeting.

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What they’re saying

“It teaches you how to identify someone struggling with their mental health. Things they may say or do, and some behaviors.”

— Ronald Lewis, Children and Youth Programs coordinator (streetcarsuburbs.news)

“It's good because you learn the same thing as other people in the community, and you have a shared language.”

— Joanne Waszczak, Hyattsville City Councilmember (streetcarsuburbs.news)

“I actually joined YAC to help people with their mental health.”

— Anastasia Keith (streetcarsuburbs.news)

“In our previous meeting, we also spoke about how this was a big issue, not just in our city, but nationwide and worldwide.”

— Litzy Velasquez, YAC member (streetcarsuburbs.news)

What’s next

The Hyattsville Youth Advisory Council will continue to work on their mental health awareness initiatives, including coordinating with the city's communications team to release content for upcoming events like World Teen Mental Wellness Day and Mental Health Awareness Month in 2026.

The takeaway

The Hyattsville Youth Advisory Council's proactive approach to addressing mental health challenges among their peers demonstrates a commitment to supporting the well-being of young people in their community. By promoting accessible online training programs and resources, the council aims to empower their fellow students to recognize and respond to mental health issues.