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Regular Session, 2014 ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 87
BY SENATOR BROOME
A RESOLUTION
To commend the service and contributions of Magellan Youth Leaders Inspiring Future
Empowerment, known as MY LIFE, and recognize Thursday, May 8, 2014, as MY
LIFE Youth Day at the State Capitol.
WHEREAS, behavioral health experts across the country now recognize that
involving youth in the policies, programs and systems that serve them improves outcomes
for youth, helps them develop relationships, acquire new skills, improve behavior, build
self-confidence, instill positive social supports, and cultivate leadership skills; and
WHEREAS, youth involvement in shaping policy and systems that serve them not
only benefits the individual youth involved, but also can be very beneficial to those systems,
agencies, communities, and the state as a whole; and
WHEREAS, Magellan Health Services created MY LIFE, now with 11 groups in five
states with more than 500 youth regularly involved, as a free community program for youth
between the ages of 13 and 23 who have experience with mental health, substance use, foster
care-related and/or other challenges as a way to meet the need to involve youth in the
systems that serve them; and
WHEREAS, through regular meetings, special events, presentations and
performances, MY LIFE members provide support for their peers; develop critical skills in
leadership, mentoring and mental health resiliency; act as advisors to Magellan and local
officials to help improve services and systems that serve youth; and provide a much-needed
voice in the community to combat the stigma associated with behavioral health issues; and
WHEREAS, in July 2012, MY LIFE Louisiana was established by Magellan
Behavioral Health in Louisiana with MY LIFE groups started in Baton Rouge and
Shreveport, and with an expansion group coming to Tangipahoa Parish; and SR NO. 87 ENROLLED
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WHEREAS, MY LIFE Louisiana has had many great empowerment events for
youth, including 42 monthly MY LIFE meetings averaging 35 attendees per meeting, as well
as the first ever MY Fest Louisiana event on November 2, 2013, in downtown Baton Rouge
where more than 1,200 attendees from across the state were educated about mental health,
substance use, foster care, and juvenile justice-related issues in order to share resources,
create awareness, and reduce stigma associated with these issues; and
WHEREAS, the first annual Louisiana "MY LIFE Youth Day at the Capitol" is being
held on Thursday, May 8, 2014, which is also National Children's Mental Health Awareness
Day, to bring youth from around the state to the Capitol to provide them a truly unique
hands-on educational experience to learn about our state government process, interact with
state legislators, and participate in other activities with a focus on empowering youth to
develop leadership skills, social skills, and greater self-confidence; and
WHEREAS, MY LIFE Louisiana programs and activities have flourished due to the
great support and partnerships of other youth serving organizations including the Louisiana
Behavioral Health Partnership, Family Youth and Service Center, Goodwill of North
Louisiana, Capitol Area Human Services, Ekhaya Youth Project, Project BRAVE, City
Year, Youth Oasis, B.R.A.C.E.S., Office of Juvenile Justice, VIP Project, faith based groups,
and other organizations.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend the service and contributions of MY LIFE (Magellan Youth Leaders
Inspiring Future Empowerment) and does hereby recognize Thursday, May 8, 2014, as MY
LIFE Youth Day at the State Capitol.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to MY
LIFE Louisiana.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE