The Role of Advocacy, Leadership, & Community Engagement in Improving Mental Health Outcomes of Underserved Youth

Although youth mental health is highlighted as an area of priority, it lacks full integration into the dimensions of health. Furthermore, community engagement, while greatly enhancing mental health outcomes, continues to receive limited attention in youth programs. Attention must be given to the development and implementation of culturally sound youth programs, as well as the use of advocacy to evoke change. Utilizing an asset-based capital model, advocacy practice guidelines, and the EPIS model, a highly adaptable program model that can be used to empower communities and enhance positive youth outcomes, is provided.