Students share lessons from Youth Mental Health Advocacy Day at Kansas Statehouse

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Young people made their voices heard Tuesday at the Kansas Capitol during Youth Mental Health Advocacy Day.

After a day meeting with lawmakers and agency leaders, Alessia Carrales from Clay Center Community High School, Hannah Khan from Buhler High School and Abilene Frye from McPherson High School visited Eye on NE Kansas to recap their work.

The trio said measures having to do with substance abuse awareness and prevention are key in their respective areas. They wanted lawmakers to understand the issues are real and serious. They mentioned a bill allowing for fentanyl and opioid education in schools, and ensuring Narcan is available with policies for staff to be allowed to quickly administer it.

They also worried that a bill requiring schools to obtain written parental consent before providing school-based mental health services to students would become an obstacle for students seeking help.

Many of the students who attended Tuesday’s event are part of Y-LINK (Youth Leaders in Kansas) programs. Students say they hope they left an impression on lawmakers and state leaders during Youth Mental Health Advocacy Day.