OYLPN Youth Council

The Ohio Youth-Led Prevention Network engages young people and youth-led organizations across Ohio to prevent drug use and addiction, teach their peers the importance of self-care, and promote positive mental health. OYLPN was created by youth for youth to create a community of like-minded teens who want to be part of a solution. More than 150 organizations have joined OYLPN since its creation in 2011 by Prevention Action Alliance with funding from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

To ensure that youth lead the efforts of OYLPN, an OYLPN Youth Council was created to engage youth voices in behavioral health. The OYLPN Youth Council consists of up to 15 high school students from regions around our state. Every year, the OYLPN Youth Council:

• Organizes and leads the We Are The Majority Rally to raise awareness about the fact that most youth do not use drugs.
• Meets with legislators to advocate for youth-led prevention and the promotion of mental health wellness.
• Empowers teens across the state to take a stand for their communities.
• Promotes protective factors in their peer’s lives to help prevent drug use.

The OYLPN Youth Council allows youth to make an impact in the lives of teens across Ohio, develop their leadership, public speaking, and advocacy skills and build relationships with other teens dedicated to making our world a better place.