Ohana Youth Advisory

Ohana’s Youth Advisory (OYA) is a council of high school students who advise Ohana leadership in their decision-making and program development. They meet regularly and discuss program-related decisions including class and workshop topics, therapy adjuncts, flyer and brochure content, what defines and contributes to good mental health, drug and alcohol content and material, and Ohana gift shop items.

This group of teenagers boasts a diverse group of teens, representing students from all over the county from various schools coming together to work toward a common goal: helping their peers receive better mental health treatment. The broad range of perspectives and experiences helps to form a well-rounded sample of the area’s broader community of youth, with each teen bringing a wealth of knowledge from their unique background.

Many of the youth recruited to this council were past or current Ohana patients who were nominated by their therapists. Other council members were recruited from local schools because of their leadership skills and passion for youth mental health.

What are your hopes for your generation’s well-being?

OYA members created paintings in response to the reflection question, “What are your hopes for your generation’s well-being?” The paintings were then arranged into a cohesive art piece and photographed, creating this image.

Ohana Youth Advisory members created these paintings with the knowledge that the end result would be used as a gesture of appreciation to specific individuals who were instrumental in bringing Ohana to their community.

The members defined well-being as being content, having confidence, noticing feelings, freedom, and focusing on mental health as well as physical health. They shared that their finished pieces represent connection and the possibility that different paths can blend together to make a whole person, community, and world.