Today we talk with Joshua Calarino, a member of our Youth Advisory Board, about ways getting involved in his community has helped his mental health. Joshua shares his journey, from someone who struggled with their mental health in high school, to his discovery of different activities that helped him feel better and more connected to his community. His story of recovery started when he said “yes” to an invite to a salsa dance class. We talk about his participation in Youth Move, as a peer support specialist, and Joshua’s experience as a member of our Youth Advisory Board. As part of the YAB, Joshua joins other young adult members to provide valued feedback from the youth perspective to our research teams at Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research. Joshua highlights the impact that a strong sense of community can have on young adults’ mental health.

S.T.A.Y. Tuned: Supporting Transition-Age Youth Podcast is a podcast for young adults, made by young adults, with mental health conditions. Our podcast hosts bring on guests, including research collaborators from across the globe, and young adults with lived experience and we discuss the challenges and opportunities for youth with serious mental health struggles, particularly as they navigate educational and workforce experiences. This podcast episode was developed by our new Center for Community Inclusion and Reflective Collaborative (The CIRC Center). Learn more about The CIRC Center: umassmed.edu/transitionsacr/circ For more information about Transitions to Adulthood Center For Research, visit https://www.umassmed.edu/TransitionsACR/

For more information about our Young Adult Advisory Board, visit https://www.umassmed.edu/sparc/isparccenters/engaging-the-mental-health-community-in-research/engaging-the-mental-health-community-in-research2/

For more information about Youth MOVE, visit https://youthmovenational.org/