Catskill’s Teen Suicide Prevention Team participated in the Mental Health Association of New York State Advocacy Day at the state capitol on March 12th. The students were briefed about legislation and heard presentations by Senate Mental Hygiene Chair Brouk, Senate Substance Use Chair Fernandez, Assembly Mental Health Chair Simon, Assemblymember Kelles, Office of Mental Health Commissioner Sullivan, State Education Deputy Commissioner Matteson, Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard, Officer George Hill, Hauppauge High School student Jacob Wolmetz, and former MHANYS Production Team Director Cohen Miles-Rath.

They also participated in a march and rally at the capitol steps, where young people and several first responders shared their own mental health struggles and how personal resiliency led to their recovery. After the rally, they met with Senator Michelle Hinchey and a representative from Assemblyman Chris Tague’s office about the importance of public policies focused on increasing mental health literacy on college campuses, encouraging whole-health parity, establishing mental health-related school absences, and advocating for human services workers agencies to be paid decent wages.