02/13/2026
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has announced its new NAMI Next Gen advisory group cohort, which spotlights the voices of youth and young adults and supports youth mental health across the country.
Halle Gensler, the Youth & Young Adult Engagement Coordinator with NAMI DuPage, and Ryan Lipsett, a volunteer with NAMI DuPage are among those named to the 10-member advisory group.
NAMI Next Gen Advisors are tasked with creating and innovating new ideas to guide NAMI’s work with young people in addressing the youth mental health crisis. The year-long cohort offers thoughts, opinions, and feedback to inform the work of NAMI programs, content, and initiatives to meet young people where they are.
NAMI Next Gen Advisors also lead the NAMI Next Gen Community of Practice, a space for young adults to gather, empowering youth voices, building solidarity, breaking down stigma, engaging in training and skill development, and increasing hope in the often-demanding work of mental health advocacy. Members participate in actionable discussions, contribute to toolkits, and discuss crucial topics related to the youth mental health crisis.
Would you like to learn more or speak with Halle or Ryan, or NAMI National’s Director of Youth and Young Adults Initiatives? Contact:
hgensler@nami.org
rlipsett@nami.org
or jrothman@nami.org
