About

Youth Creating Change is a non-profit organization (501 c3) dedicated to placing young people’s voices and creativity at the center of suicide prevention and mental health programming. Visit www.YouthCreatingChange.org to learn about all of our programs and initiatives.

The Hope and Justice initiative launched during the 2020-2021 school year to give young people who were living through history a chance to express their thoughts and process their feelings around critical health topics such as mental health, suicide prevention, and the changes they hoped to see in their community, and more.  These young artists embraced this space, giving us a glimpse into what was happening in the world through their eyes and hearts. A selection of these youth-produced works of art have been curated into a virtual gallery featuring art, written works and films, as well as art showcase videos:

Thank you! We can’t do this work without your support.

CalHOPE and the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) are programs of the CA Department of Health Care Services designed to help young people navigate the stress, anxiety, and depression they may experience from the many challenges they face. Youth engagement and youth voice are essential in the design and implementation of programs.  Thank you to the CalHOPE Schools initiative for sponsoring prompts and partnering with us to elevate youth voices. Learn more at CalHopeSchools.org and visit the CalHOPE sponsored art gallery:  https://hopeandjustice.art/virtual-art-exhibit/

The Never a Bother campaign sponsored several prompts for the Hope & Justice initiative as part of their commitment to infusing youth co-created content into the campaign.  Never a Bother is a youth suicide prevention awareness and outreach campaign for young people and their parents, caregivers, and allies. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) funded campaign is implemented by Civilian as part of the broader California Children & Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI). The campaign aims to connect more youth experiencing thoughts of suicide to help by reinforcing the belief that they deserve support and are never a bother when reaching out to friends, trusted adults, counselors, and other types of support, such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Thank you for your dedication elevating youth voices and creating a truly co-created campaign.   Learn more at NeverABother.org

Youth Creating Change is excited to partner with county behavioral health agencies across the state.  Our signature program, The Directing Change film contest, was originally funded by counties through the Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63) and administered by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA)  as part of statewide efforts to prevent suicide, reduce stigma and discrimination related to mental illness, and to promote the mental health and wellness of students.

A wide range of sponsorship opportunities are available! Sponsor a single prompt or our entire prompt calendar.  You can also partner with us to curate a special art exhibit or youth development event.