West Hartford Youth Leadership Academy: Learn to Lead. Be Ready to Help.

A one-day training for teens with a focus on mental health, substance use prevention, wellness, recovery, and youth leadership. We are excited to share that the West Hartford Student Navigator Leadership Academy will take place on Friday, November 13, 2026 from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium. Join other high school students for a day of hands-on learning, connection and leadership. Explore mental health and recovery, learn to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, and practice how to help until help arrives. Leave with practical skills, new connections and ideas for making a difference in our community. This full-day academy featuring presentations and workshops on topics for teens will offer engaging peer leadership and peer education training designed to educate and empower students in a variety of areas, including: • Narcan training • AI and mental health • Mental Health First Aid • NAMI Student Navigator programming • Opioid misuse prevention • Student-led prevention campaigns • Interactive workshops for stress management • And some creative and informative break-out sessions! We are grateful to be partnering with Amplify, Jewish Family Services, NAMI CT, Farmington Valley Counseling, West Hartford Office of Emergency Management, West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District, West Hartford Public Schools, and additional community organizations to deliver this experience. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and certificates of completion will be awarded to participating students.In addition, we will be offering shorter after-school and weekend trainings for high school students in the weeks and months following the academy. These sessions will be open to academy attendees as well as other interested students. We look forward to sharing this meaningful learning opportunity with you. Please feel free to reach out with any questions. We will accept 50 applicants from West Hartford high school students and will maintain a waiting list. Registration is required. First come, first served. Upon review of completed application and signed forms, you will receive final confirmation. Required forms for signatures are HERE. Please complete and return to [email protected] by November 6.