The 2022-2023 Mental Health America Young Mental Health Leaders Council (YMHLC) represents young leaders from across the U.S. who have created programs and initiatives that fill gaps in traditional mental health services in their communities. This year’s cohort is working to address mental health across many areas including education, housing, foster care, addiction recovery, and state-level policy.
Over the next several weeks, get to know the 10 amazing individuals using their lived experience and youth perspective to make big differences in the lives of those around them.
Name: Jill King
Pronouns: she/her
Location: Statesboro, Georgia
School: Georgia Southern University
Leadership and other positions: Cofounder and president of the Students with Disabilities Advocacy Group at GSU
Social media: @jill_gking on Twitter and Instagram
Photo submitted by Jill King
Why did you want to join the YMHLC?
I wanted to join MHA’s YMHLC so that I could meet and work alongside other young advocates. This recent wave of Gen Z advocates is so powerful, and I saw YMHLC as an opportunity to connect and advocate as a united front.
Tell us about your work and interests.
I do a lot of disability advocacy, focusing sometimes on blindness and chronic pain. I do this through writing and with the Students with Disabilities Advocacy Group, a group I co-founded that is run by and for the disabled. I work to discuss and highlight voting access for the disabled community alongside policy advocacy on a state level. I also enjoy opening conversations around mental health, disability, and trauma.
What is the biggest lesson you have learned from other YMHLC members?
The best lesson I have learned from my fellow YMHLC members has been about prioritizing my own mental health and well-being as an advocate and leader. We have been able to foster and encourage kindness and consideration for one another as advocates.
What are your mental health advocacy goals?
My mental health advocacy goals are to become a therapist and focus on the disabled community and provide culturally responsive care. I also make goals to open further conversations about disability and mental health to then make policy change.
Photo submitted by Jill King
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