Since its launch in Fall 2016, the Health Ambassador Program for Youth (HAP-Y) has been transforming the way young people in San Mateo County understand, talk about, and lead in the field of behavioral health. What began as a vision to empower youth with tools and knowledge to support themselves and their peers has grown into a powerful community of more than 300 trained ambassadors.
Over the course of 14 weeks of training, HAP-Y participants gain skills in psychoeducation, suicide prevention, healthy coping, healthy relationships, and storytelling. The program culminates in the Photovoice workshop, a unique opportunity for youth to share their lived experiences through photography and narrative. Year after year, participants describe this workshop as their favorite.
“Photovoice is magical… It’s really incredible how emotions can be so clearly conveyed through a few words from a nervous youth.” – HAP-Y Participant
HAP-Y has not only been an educational program—it has been a career pathway and inspiration. Many ambassadors have gone on to pursue studies and careers in behavioral health, with alumni now working as clinicians or working toward their licensure.
Like many community programs, HAP-Y faced a turning point during the pandemic. Originally designed for in-person meetings, the program quickly adapted to an all-virtual format to ensure that young people could continue to access support and training during a critical time. Today, HAP-Y thrives under a hybrid model: 12 weeks of virtual workshops followed by 2 weeks of in-person sessions, striking a balance between flexibility and the meaningful connections built face-to-face.
As we celebrate nearly a decade of HAP-Y, we honor not only the 300+ youth who have graduated from the program but also the powerful ripple effect they have created. Through community events, school presentations, and social media campaigns, HAP-Y Ambassadors have engaged more than 10,000 community members across San Mateo County—building awareness, breaking stigma, and strengthening the mental health of their communities. Beyond education, ambassadors have stepped into leadership and advocacy roles, shaping the conversation around behavioral health and wellness.
This August, HAP-Y celebrated the graduation of its 26th and final cohort—17 youth ages 16–24 from San Mateo County. The evening included dinner, an icebreaker, and our signature StoryCircle, where ambassadors shared their Photovoice projects. Peers offered supportive feedback, creating a powerful reminder of the importance of storytelling to build connection, healing, and community.
The Health Ambassador Program- Youth was inspired by the Office of Diversity Equity’ s Health Ambassador Program (adult). HAP-Y first received innovative funds in 2016 through the Mental Health Service Act. HAP-Ys first 3 years were essential in determining whether programming would continue past its innovative time. Nearly a decade later, HAP-Y has been successful in obtaining its goal of encouraging youth in SMC to be active advocates for behavioral health.
For now, we celebrate the achievements of the ambassadors—both through HAP-Y and through their own personal journeys. And as the program comes to its end, one thing remains constant: the belief that when youth are given the knowledge, skills, and platform to lead, they can transform the future of behavioral health in San Mateo County and beyond.
Written by Brenda Nuñez, HAP-Y Program Manager