Developing drug-free leaders in Stark County

Stark County Youth Led Prevention

Youth Led Prevention_Color 2016Stark County Youth Led Prevention is a youth-led, adult-guided leadership development group focused on promoting and celebrating healthy lifestyles for youth. Stark County Youth Led Prevention was created to empower students to impact their schools, neighborhoods and communities.

Stark County Youth Led Prevention’s mission consists of spreading awareness of gaps in preventive mental health supports as well as promoting community engagement and education on topics such as adolescent substance use control, community supports, and commitment to creating a positive, informed, and safe and welcoming community for all individuals and families. Stark County Youth Led Prevention is a safe place for students to come together and encourage their peers to make healthy decisions through planning and implementing various prevention leadership projects and activities.

PAST Activities

Stark County Youth Led Prevention has created several resources and participated in numerous events over the past year.

  • Stark County Youth Led Prevention created a campaign titled “You’re Not Getting Away With It” which promoted substance use control across the lifespan.
  • One community project that Stark County Youth Led Prevention completed was a series of myths and facts on substance use, mental health, and comorbidity. Members created a social media campaign and community board to spread awareness of available resources and information to promote healthy living and access to supports.
  • Stark County Youth Led Prevention members participated in several First Friday events in which they promoted emotional recognition, mood tracking, and self-esteem building. Students created journals to build self-esteem within the community.
  • Stark County Youth Led Prevention members participated in the Massillon FunFest in which they assisted community members in identifying and tracking feelings through art.

Stark County Youth Led Prevention meetings are held every Wednesday from 5-6:30pm at GlenOak High School, Door 6 (you will see a sign for Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health and the Stark County Library). Any location changes will be announced via Instagram @starkyouthled and Facebook at the Stark County Youth Led Prevention page. Feel free to drop by and check out our group! We are always welcoming new members!

For more information on Stark County Youth Led Prevention, contact Hannah Cowie or Marissa Cooney, Prevention Specialists and SCYLP Coordinators at Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health at scylp@childandadolescent.org.