Youth voices are essential when it comes to conversations about student safety and mental health. That’s why Seattle’s Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) and Human Services Department (HSD) established a new peer education and outreach program called the Youth Safety Ambassadors in fall 2025.
The Youth Safety Ambassadors (YSA) program centers youth voice in Seattle’s mental health and student safety investments by creating a standing group of young leaders at five priority schools (Chief Sealth, Franklin, Garfield, Ingraham, and Rainier Beach high schools) who help shape the City’s work — and tell their peers about it.
“My experience with the YSA program has been great, full of life and trustworthy people,” said current YSA Dae’Von Collins, a senior at Rainier Beach High School. “I’ve learned things and taught them as well.”
The program ensures services and outreach strategies are youth-informed, culturally responsive, and relevant to the students most impacted by mental health and safety concerns. YSAs advise on investment design and implementation, support peer-to-peer engagement, help reduce stigma around asking for help, and strengthen youth awareness of available mental health resources and supports.
Since joining the program in the fall, the inaugural group of 12 YSAs have built relationships as a cohort, co-designed youth-centered outreach materials, and completed training on youth mental health, peer leadership, organizing, and public speaking.
“After participating in the YSA program this year, I have learned the importance of leadership, teamwork, and stepping outside of my comfort zone,” said current YSA Yerusalem Moore, a sophomore at Ingraham High School. “This experience helped me grow more confident in myself while building stronger connections with others in my community.”
Throughout the year, YSAs have supported wellness events, school-based resource sharing, campaign planning, and peer-to-peer engagement focused on reducing stigma and connecting students to support. Their work has helped lay the foundation for a youth-led mental health awareness campaign across priority high schools, set to launch in fall 2026.
Interested in joining YSA? We will soon begin accepting applications from students at the five priority high schools for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. Stay tuned for updates about how to join in the effort and make a positive impact in your community!