Village Project youth ambassadors present stigma‑reduction programs and upcoming events to Seaside council

Youth ambassadors from the Village Project briefed the Seaside City Council Sept. 4 on their Youth Mental Health Ambassador Stigma Reduction Program and described a series of school- and community-focused activities.

Project director Iel Banjo introduced the team of student ambassadors and said the program aims to normalize conversations about mental health. “We believe that talking about mental health should be just as normal as talking about physical health,” youth ambassador Zaina Diallo said.

Ambassadors outlined several program elements: a monthly “word of the month” that explains a mental-health term (this month: anxiety), a Village Social event for middle- and high-school students to combine education and games (free, walk-in), a podcast series featuring community guests, and outreach to school morning announcements and back-to-school nights. “We will start a word of the month each month,” Quincy, one of the ambassadors, said, describing efforts to give students language and tools to support peers.

Councilmembers praised the ambassadors for leadership experience and communications skills. Councilmember Miller asked how the political-strategy committee works; ambassador Zena said she had recently assumed the role and planned to learn on the job. Councilmembers encouraged school outreach and suggested the city offer logistical support; the city manager and council offered to help connect the ambassadors with school leaders and city resources.

Ambassadors said they are tabling at back-to-school nights, are developing a stigma-reduction club at Seaside Middle School, and that the Village Project’s youth-run events and podcasts are already including local community leaders.