The mission of the Mayor's Youth Leadership Council (MYLC) is to promote safe schools and communities. It is one of the largest youth activism organizations in Connecticut.

MYLC uses three approaches to address social issues: public awareness activities, volunteer programs and social change campaigns. Through this model to educate and, if necessary, confront people and institutions about oppression, injustice and/ or human indignity.   We have 3 MYLC chapters at Stamford High School, Westhill High School and AITE.

• Public Awareness & Activism Activities- Educate the public and sharpen member's advocacy skills
• Volunteer programs- Adds real faces to our work and must support one of our social issues.
• Social Change Campaigns- influence policies, laws and/or the way people think about an issue.

Facts

Mental Illness - A diagnosable illness that affects a person thinking, emotional state, and behavior, as well as disrupts the person's ability to work or carry out other daily activities and engage, is satisfying personal relationships.

• Nearly 1 in 5 (20%) children & youth are affected by a mental disorder.
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death for all young people, more than cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease combined.

Who to talk to if you or someone you know is dealing with a mental health condition.

1. Talk to a family member or friends.

2. Talk to a teacher, guidance counselor, administrator, school nurse, coach, or one of WHS, SHS,
or AITE school social workers or psychologists.

What to Do In an Emergency?
Call 911

Call 911 if you or someone you know is in immediate danger. Notify the operator that it is a psychiatric emergency and ask for an officer trained to help people with a mental health condition.

Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Call 988

24 hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You call is routed to the nearest crisis center in that national network of 150+ crisis centers.

Emergency Mobile Psychiatric Services (EMPS) Crisis Intervention Services
Call 211

2-1-1 is a toll-free, confidential service connecting people to the health and human services they need. When you call 2-1-1 for help with a youth in crisis, you will be connected with EMPS Crisis Intervention Service.

Crisis Text Line
741-741

A live, trained crisis counselor receives the text and responds quickly.  The crisis counselor helps you move from a hot moment to a cool calm to stay safe and healthy using effective active listening and suggested referrals
all through text message using Crisis Text Line’s secure platform.

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)
1-800-662-HELP (4357)

The helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention and recovery in English and Spanish.