Are you familiar with common warning signs and risk factors for mental health issues experienced by youth? What protective factors can family members, educators, and the community foster to positively influence a young person’s well-being? Join us on Tuesday, May 23 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm as we explore these questions and more in an engaging Community Conversation centered on youth mental health. The event is led by a licensed clinical social worker and a youth peer advocate from MHA with lived experience in navigating mental health challenges and the mental health care system. Both provider and peer perspectives will be shared. Topics also include:

• importance of healthy communication between youth and caregivers
• value of positive, supportive relationships with adult figures
• MHA supports and resources for youth and family members.

Information shared during this event can benefit a range of ages; attendance is suitable for adults and youth ages 13 and older.

Virtual and in-person registration options are available. Learn more and register here. 

About Our Speakers:

Marianne LaCalamito, LCSW
Team Leader, Youth Assertive Community Treatment (ACT), The Mental Health Association of Westchester
Ms. LaCalamito provides clinical oversight and maintains leadership responsibilities for the Youth ACT team, which serves high-risk youth between the ages of 10 and 21. She also serves as a senior clinician in the Crisis Stabilization program at MHA, where she provides short-term mental health treatment through clinical interventions to children between the ages of five and 18. In this role, Ms. LaCalamito also provides case management services to connect children with the appropriate ongoing services and resources. Ms. LaCalamito received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Marist College and earned her Master of Social Work graduate degree from Columbia University’s School of Social Work.

Briana Braverman
Youth Peer Advocate, Youth Assertive Community Treatment, The Mental Health Association of Westchester
As a Youth Peer Advocate, Ms. Braverman shares her own lived and professional experiences with youth to empower them in their own recoveries. Ms. Braverman also serves as the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist in MHA’s Children’s Services, where she works with youth to build and implement positive coping skills to utilize in times of need. Ms. Braverman is a member of the Youth Peer Advisory Council with Families Together New York State. Ms. Braverman received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Keene State College and is pursuing her Master's in Social Work at Utica University’s School of Social Work.