Youth and Young Adult Mental Wellness Program Specialist

Bring mental health trainings to the teens and families that need them! Join our team as one of Families for Depression Awareness’ Youth and Young Adult Mental Wellness (YYA) Program Specialists.  The YYA Program Specialist position is part-time (minimum 10 hours per week, maximum 20 hours per week with some flexibility) with a hybrid of office time, work from home, and out-of-office commitments. Some in-state day travel for community-based meetings and trainings, resource table staffing, and evening events are part of this job. Weekend trainings and events are infrequent and scheduled at the discretion of the YYA Program Specialist. We are filling two (2) Specialist positions.

Organization Overview

Families for Depression Awareness is a nonprofit organization that helps families recognize and cope with depression and bipolar disorder to get people well and prevent suicides. Our YYA Program offers training to adults and youths about recognizing teen depression and seeking help with the goals of promoting mental wellness and preventing suicides. We offer a workshop in two versions, one for Spanish-speaking adults and one for English-speaking adults, as well as one focused on supporting Black youth. (Because we offer a workshop entirely in Spanish, one of the Specialists hired must have proficient Spanish-speaking abilities.) Additionally, we provide opportunities for teens and young adults to share their own stories of depression or bipolar disorder as “Peer Storytellers.” This program works to dispel stigma and encourage help-seeking by the speakers’ peers who may have a mood disorder. Finally, we deliver workshops on stress management for youth, adults, and families.

Position Summary

The Youth and Young Adult Mental Wellness Program Specialist (YYAPS) conducts community outreach (in consultation with our YYA Program Coordinator) to promote the program, recruits volunteer young adult Peer Storytellers, runs virtual and in-person events, supports program development and delivery, and travels within Massachusetts for outreach, events, and meetings. The YYAPS is responsible for promoting workshops and Peer Storytellers events. The YYAPS maintains records of activities and contacts, works collaboratively with all staff members, supports grants compliance, and reports to the Co-Executive Director.

Responsibilities

Events

1. Conduct in-person outreach to schools and community organizations to build relationships and book Peer Storyteller events, teen depression and family stress workshops, and Stress Survival Guide events
2. Provide on-site supervision and facilitation at events; address audience; lead mindfulness exercises; be able to speak from experience about depression or bipolar disorder as needed (e.g., to fill in for an absent Peer Storyteller)
3. Review event evaluations and provide feedback to staff
4. Prepare and organize materials for distribution and display at community resource events; set up and staff resource tables (potentially with volunteers, Board members, and other staff); engage with attendees and share FFDA information; solicit newsletter and peer storyteller signups; maintain post-event records.
5. Follow office record-keeping and reporting procedures to track contacts, conversations, progress on grant requirements, and performance measures.

Volunteers

1. Promote the Peer Storytellers program as a volunteer opportunity for young people ages 14-24 from diverse backgrounds who live with depression or bipolar disorder
2. Attend Peer Storyteller meetings and/or social gatherings to foster connection and peer support among participants and FFDA staff
3. Participate in Instagram Committee meetings with youth volunteers once a month.

Other Assignments

Additional opportunities may include partnership development, meetings with funders, social media tasks, and other YYA Program activities.

Qualifications

Our ideal YYAPS is a reliable, high-energy, motivated person who is committed to raising awareness among adults and young people about teen depression, equipping them to help themselves and others, and dispelling the stigma of mental health conditions. This person has

• interest in collaborating with teens and young adults with mood disorders
• passion for working in a nonprofit environment
• the ability to thrive in a hybrid, small office setting
• experience working in marginalized communities
• excellent communication skills by phone, through email, and in person; comfort with one-to-one conversations and public speaking
• strong and consistent organizational skills, including keeping detailed records of contacts, commitments, and results in our database and spreadsheets
• the ability to travel within Massachusetts; access to a car is a must
• Spanish-language fluency, for at least 1 of the 2 positions being filled
• familiarity with mental health conditions including depression and bipolar disorder and the ability to talk about mental health with youth and adults.

Lived experience with depression or bipolar disorder is beneficial. Spanish-speakers are encouraged to apply as are individuals with community ties in Central Massachusetts.

Compensation

The position pays $20.00 per hour. The Specialist hired as our liaison for outreach and trainings with Spanish speakers will receive an additional $2.00 per hour. FFDA reimburses for outreach, meeting, and event mileage, tolls, and parking fees in accordance with FFDA policies. As a part-time employee, the YYAPS receives some paid holiday and personal time. FFDA embraces diversity and inclusion.

To apply

Submit resume and cover letter expressing interest and describing relevant experience to info@familyaware.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with the aim of beginning interviews on or around July 1, 2024. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.