County Info

MY LIFE

Youth Involvement: Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future Empowerment (MY LIFE)

Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania is dedicated to helping to improve the lives of youth in Pennsylvania.

What is MY LIFE?
Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future Empowerment

Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future Empowerment (MY LIFE) is made up of youth between the ages of 13 and 23 who have experience with the following issues:

• Mental health.
• Substance abuse,
• Juvenile justice.
• Foster care.

It was founded in Arizona in 2008. The group focuses on important issues affecting youth through:

• Regular meetings.
• Special events.
• Presentations.
• Performances.

MY LIFE is helping to improve mental health, substance abuse, foster care and juvenile justice systems. It gives youth the chance to become leaders in their communities. Magellan Behavioral Health of Pennsylvania has partnered with Bucks, Delaware, Lehigh, Montgomery and Northampton counties to start MY LIFE groups in those areas.

Who can join MY LIFE?

MY LIFE groups and activities are open to any youth who:

• Is between the ages of 13 and 23 years old.
• Has experience with mental health, substance abuse and/or foster care-related issues.

We welcome youth who have these challenges themselves. We also welcome youth who have a family member or friend experiencing these challenges. No application is needed to join this group. Any youth who attends a meeting or an event is considered a MY LIFE member.

Why join MY LIFE?

MY LIFE is a group where youth can:

• Feel supported.
• Make friends.
• Have fun.
• Show off their talents.
• Learn about topics that are important to them.

MY LIFE gives youth a chance to build:

• Confidence.
• Positive social supports.
• Leadership skills.

MY LIFE helps youth use their experiences to help others. It gives the chance to help improve the programs and systems that serve young people.

Become a fan of MY LIFE on Facebook!

MY LIFE has a Facebook fan page (www.Facebook.com/MYLIFEyouth). The page helps to educate, inform, engage and build support for MY LIFE programs.

Become a fan and learn how MY LIFE youth are:

• Using their experiences, strengths, talents and voice to improve youth and young adult programs and services throughout the country.
• Getting rid of the stigma associated with being a young person living with a mental illness and/or substance abuse issue.

Visit the MY LIFE Facebook page and click the "like" button to become a fan of MY LIFE on Facebook. Thanks for your support!

Get involved

If you live in Bucks or Delaware County, contact Stephanie Lucas, SLucas@MagellanHealth.com.

If you live in Montgomery County, contact Timothy Connors, TJConnors@MagellanHealth.com.

If you live in Lehigh or Northampton County, contact Thalia Schmidt, TESchmidt@MagellanHealth.com.

Check out the MY LIFE video: http://youtu.be/HpM1qVsSpYg.

MY LIFE Flyer

Please call Magellan if you have any questions about your services. Please always call 911 in an emergency.