Youth Health Action Team (YHAT)

What is it: A Youth-led volunteer team for people 14 to 24, with as diverse a community represented as possible, focused on mental and behavioral health for themselves and their peers in Pima County

Who supports it: The YHAT is supported and hosted by the Pima County Public Library (PCPL) and the Pima Behavioral Health Coalition (PBHC)

What is the goal: The YHAT will spread awareness of the importance of youth health and of the ongoing crisis in youth mental health

What does it do: The 2024 YHAT has focused on addressing teen suicide and has developed various petitions, tool kits, and media specifically targeting schools.

2024 Projects

Youth Designed Mental Health School Survey

Youth Toolkit on Suicide Prevention

Send our Letter to Your Community Leaders

2024 Team

Accredited Members of the Youth Health Action Team of 2024.

Maritza Yamile Roberts Hannah Levin Keertana Konkimalla Annabella Mae Aishwarya Eksambe Delainey Rath Yana Hejazi Mallory O’Brien Nagasriya Ramisetty Samira Shefa Joscelin Morales Alex Bjorke Taylor Raney Sophie Hannley Sanjida Saba Ian Lochridge Ashley Jo Violet

Maritza Yamile Roberts

Position: President
Current Grade (23-24): 12th
School: BASIS Tucson North
Subgroup: Research
Why did you join YHAT?: The Youth Health Action Team was an
opportunity I joined to bridge science, public health, and student activism, to improve the life of my peers and highlight to critical community leaders what spaces need more attention to truly support our physical and mental wellbeing. After serving my presidency term, I feel prepared to continue advising city boards, community leaders, and students on how to combine creativity, research, and teamwork, to improve our daily lives.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: I work at the intersection of diversity, science communication, and environmentalism. I developed bilingual English-Spanish environmental lesson plans at the University of Arizona Women in Science and Engineering Project, studied plant species to effectively clean mine-pollution, authored my book "Soy Un Científico," and spoke to 2,000+ BIPOC youth K-8 across Southern Arizona on how to create science fair projects.

Hannah Levin

Position: Vice President
Current Grade (23-24): 10th
School: Catalina Foothills High School
Subgroup: Media/Art
Why did you join YHAT?: I joined YHAT initially because I was interested in the internship program. After I was accepted to be the 2024 Vice President of YHAT, I have learned a lot about leadership and how I can make a difference in my community.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: I love music and play the piano, and I also love to read and write poetry. I volunteer at Teen Court as a teen attorney and serve as secretary for my local library's Teen Advisory Board.

Keertana Konkimalla

Position: Secretary
Current Grade (23-24): 10th
School: University High School
Subgroup: Website
Why did you join YHAT?: I joined YHAT for a chance to increase access to mental health resources and further destigmatize mental health among youth. I think it is important for youth voices to be heard and I learned about how much impact we can have on our community. I hope that this year's YHAT has built the basis for future years to be able to expand on.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: Outside of school, I love to read, listen to music, and play badminton! I also really love to make handmade DIY crafts! Right now, I am really interested in the biomedical field and hope to pursue a career in STEM.

Annabella Mae

Aishwarya Eksambe

Current Grade (23-24): 9th
School: University High School
Subgroup: Research
Why did you join YHAT?: I have witnessed many of my peers experience mental health issues and not reach out because of stigma and a lack of knowledge about resources. Joining YHAT was a way for me to try and reach others like my friends. I didn’t expect to learn so much in the process, but I’ve gained skills in teamwork and communication and have learned a lot about mental health overall.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: I am part of many clubs at my school, such as Dreamcatchers, HOSA, Medical Club, Red Cross, and more. In my free time, I also love to binge watch Gilmore Girls, read my favorite books, and watch Formula 1.

Delainey Rath

Yana Hejazi

Current Grade (23-24): 12th
School: Cholla High School
Subgroup: Outreach
Why did you join YHAT?: I joined YHAT because I thought it was
interesting and I wanted to make a positive impact on our community even if it was just a little bit. It has taught me a lot and I really enjoyed learning from my peers and sharing my thoughts on different topics. It has benefited me greatly by teaching me how to lead and help others who may be struggling with their lives and might use some help. I hope this program brings out more success to future YHAT members, and hopefully will continue this journey together, strong and positive.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: I really enjoy helping people and possibly teaching them things I know that they might not know. I also like to play basketball and write. I also have an interest in learning new things, skills, and techniques. It helps me develop as an adult and has more advantages in life.

Mallory O’Brien

Current Grade (23-24): 11th
School: University High School
Subgroup: Research
Why did you join YHAT?: I joined YHAT because of my interest in public health. It seemed like a really cool opportunity to combine this interest while also giving back to my community. It has benefitted me by giving me a platform to express myself and advocate for fellow young people in Pima County. Through YHAT, I spoke on a panel and found myself becoming more comfortable with public speaking.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: At school, I am part of a creative writing club, write for my school’s newspaper, compete on my school’s Science Olympiad team, and give tours of my school as part of the ambassador program. Outside of school, I love to volunteer with the Red Cross and the Poetry Center. In my free time, I crochet, read, or watch Gilmore Girls

Nagasriya Ramisetty

Current Grade (23-24): College Freshman
School: University of Arizona
Subgroup: Outreach
Why did you join YHAT?: YHAT gave me the opportunity to advocate for my community in a hands-on way. I was able to orchestrate actionable change, talk directly to healthcare professionals and school administrators, and learn more about this crisis today. As such, I am excited to continue fighting for improved outcomes for youth mental health.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: Outside of school, I love to experiment with new painting techniques, improve my digital art, and both read and write contemporary poetry. When I'm not in my room, you'll find me trying new restaurants, testing coffee recommendations, and thrifting with friends.

Samira Shefa

Current Grade (23-24): 10th
School: University High School
Subgroup: Media/Art
Why did you join YHAT?: I joined YHAT because I'm interested in the field of mental health and am passionate about educating myself and making a real impact in my community. Throughout this program, I have had the opportunity to work in a group with like-minded people and build connections among the YHAT community. I have also been acquainted with more opportunities and programs relating to mental health that I can participate in in the future.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: I am a virtual volunteer for the Pima County Public Library. I am also an active member of the youth group at my mosque. Currently I am working on exploring my goals and interests, and YHAT has helped a lot with that. Outside of these, some of my hobbies include reading, painting, and spending time with my cat.

Joscelin Morales

Current Grade (23-24): 12th
School: Salpointe Catholic High School
Subgroup: Outreach
Why did you join YHAT?: I joined YHAT to help the community better
understand mental health issues and possibly create a foundation that can help future programs flourish.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: I participate in dance, theater, and I love to do artsy stuff like crocheting and painting!! I'm really into Monster High and many other media along with music. I love goth and hyperpop music and my fav game right now is probably Papa's Scooperia (lvl 71 going strong💪)

Alex Bjorke

Taylor Raney

Current Grade (23-24): College Freshman
School: University of Arizona
Subgroup: Outreach
Why did you join YHAT?: I joined YHAT to make a difference in Pima County through active outreach and advocacy efforts. As someone with personal ties to the growing crisis in youth mental health, I hope to spread awareness and uplift the youth in our community.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: I love everything science, and hope to go into the field of clinical genetics! Pursuing research opportunities and exploring the field of molecular and cellular biology at the University of Arizona has been an incredible opportunity. In my free time, I love to write poetry, journal, hike, and go to Zumba classes!

Sophie Hannley

Sanjida Saba

Current Grade (23-24): 11th
School: University High School
Subgroup: Website
Why did you join YHAT?: I joined YHAT to understand how to deal with my own mental health and how to help others. I learned about many resources that could help me and my peers deal with stress and other emotional issues and I got a broader perspective on these problems. I also got to contribute my perspective and ideas for improvement for providing mental health support that made me think deeply about important issues in our society.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: I do competitive math club and robotics club at my school to learn more about STEM applications. Outside of school, I also participate in coding competitions to gain experience about my future career and do virtual volunteering for the Pima County Library.

Ian Lochridge

Current Grade (23-24): 10th
School: Mountain View High School
Subgroup: Website
Why did you join YHAT?: I joined YHAT to get more involved in my community and make a positive change in the world. Many of my friends and myself have had issues with mental health, and the work that the team is doing has the potential to help teens across Pima County.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: Outside of academics I am often outside. You might see me backpacking mountains, skiing slopes, cycling or running across Tucson, or swimming.

Ashley Jo

Current Grade (23-24): 10th
School: University High School
Subgroup: Media/Art
Why did you join YHAT?: I joined YHAT because I know that teenage mental health is a big issue in the current world and needs to be helped and be more recognized. YHAT has helped me realize that there’s many factors concerning mental health and that we could do something to make a difference.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: I play tennis for my school team and piano. I also play violin for the Tucson Philharmonic Youth Orchestra and enjoy painting my nails while listening to Taylor Swift during my free time.

Violet

Current Grade (23-24): 12th
School: Mountain View High School
Subgroup: Research
Why did you join YHAT?: I joined in order to practice working in a community and was also intrigued by the potential project we'd later come up with for mental health.
Outside of the Youth Health Action Team: I'm a huge metal fan. Absolutely love bands like Korn, Slipknot, Rob Zombie, etc. I also love all things fantasy. Every year I try to go to the Ren Fair - dressed up and all.

"Intriguing every step of the way"

This book review of We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride is brought to you by Sanjida Saba, member of the Youth Health Action Team

PimaLib_Blog

Beyond the Darkness - YA Mental Health Victories

In this curated collection of books, teens navigate the complex landscape of mental illness with resilience and bravery.

PimaLib_Blog

Partners & Community Supporters

PCPL Synapse Team

Pima County Health Department

Blue Door Psychotherapy

Catherine Eyde

Center for Community Mediation and Facilitation

Curt Kiwak

Dr. Nooshie Motaref

Ironwood Tree Experience

Josh Banno

Marge Pellegrino

Pima County Behavioral Health Coalition

Resilient Health

Rising Voices Youth Summit

Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance

Tucson Poetry Society

Tucson Youth & Peace

University of Arizona Poetry Center

The #WORTHY Movement

Suicide Survivor Stories

Elise Roberts - Suicide Survivor Story

Jonah Barrow - Suicide Survivor Story

YHAT 2023

Website

Past YHAT Work

View past YHAT teams' work including bookmarks and blogs.

Get Involved!

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Apply for the Executive Board: Youth Health Action Team

If you are SUPER passionate about youth mental health and can commit more of your time and energy, we also have an exciting opportunity for youth in Pima County to apply to serve on the Youth Health Action Team Executive Board.

How do I find out more about the Executive Board?

PBHC is seeking three young people between the ages of 14-24, who currently live in Pima County, to become members of our Youth Executive Board for a 3.5 month term, February 19, 2024-May 31, 2024. Youth Executive Board Members will play a critical role in informing the work of the coalition by providing their perspective on various mental health issues youth currently face in Pima County.

Applications and all the details are available here

With a deadline of February 14th, followed by the orientation on Monday, February 19th.

Apply here

This project is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

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