Health: MCH: Indiana Youth Advisory Board (IYAB)

Overview

The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) and the Division of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA) established the Indiana Youth Advisory Board (IYAB) to assess youth-targeted public health, mental health and suicide prevention initiatives. The IYAB is made up of enthusiastic young leaders between the ages of 14 to 24 who provide suggestions to enhance youth’s quality of life throughout the state. The inaugural board was launched in July 2022 and consists of members from across Indiana.

Learn More

If you are considering working with youth or creating a youth advisory board, this toolkit is for you. The toolkit includes everything we have learned working alongside youth over the past few years and hope this can be beneficial to anyone looking to engage more youth voices.

View Toolkit

Mental Health Round Tables

Members of the IYAB reflected on the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey findings in a panel presentation and discussed their perspectives on youth mental health. Decision-makers across the state attended this event, and the IYAB members even had the opportunity to meet with Governor Holcomb.

IYAB member on panel at Public Health Day

Public Health Day at the Statehouse

IYAB member and Butler student, Lucia, joined a panel of public health experts at Public Health Day to speak about the importance of youth voice in public health work. This was one of the highest-attended events held at the Indiana Statehouse in recent years.

All Member In-Person Meeting

In July 2023, the IYAB met for the first time in person. This meet-up was hosted at the Children's Museum Manor. IYAB members traveled from across Indiana to spend time together, celebrate their accomplishments and plan for the upcoming year. This event will be hosted annually.