The Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is reimagining the way California serves young people and families. It’s a transformation that is created for, with and by our youth. Youth at the Center spotlights the many young people who are helping create that change through their involvement in CYBHI youth advisory groups and shaping this work at every level, from planning to implementation and evaluation. 

This story focuses on one of the CYBHI Youth Fellows, Khoa-Nathan Ngo.

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Who is Khoa-Nathan Ngo

Khoa-Nathan Ngo, UCLA student studying psychology and long-time mental health advocate, learned about the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative through his work as a youth advisor for allcove—an organization that provides places for youth to access a range of emotional, physical and social support services. His passion and commitment to allcove was potent as he spoke about their work to create safe spaces for young people to have fun, attend community events and receive care, if needed. He explained the centers as “valuing prevention before a crisis takes place and community before isolation takes hold.” 

He learned allcove was being funded in part by the CYBHI, and that the CYBHI was the backing to expand these services across the state. That led to the opportunity to join the CYBHI as a youth fellow advising the state-wide work to reimagine the way all Californians experience mental health support.

Advising & Elevating the CYBHI

One of Nathan’s specific focuses with in the CYBHI is the state’s work to mitigate the impacts of Adverse Childhood Experiences and toxic stress. He has been supporting the youth advisors involved in the Office of the Surgeon General’s Live Beyond ACEs campaign by shaping in-person events, campaign resources and sharing his perspective on the best way to reach diverse youth audiences across the state.

Nathan emphasized that the Live Beyond campaign and is a great example of how the CYBHI goes well beyond reducing stigma associated with mental health, and shows how mental health connects to everything else. 

“Because of how we’ve stigmatized mental health in our society we don’t really think about how it connects to so many other impacts in our lives – that is definitely true when we talk about mental and physical health.” 

In his words, the Live Beyond campaign gives us a place in society to talk about how about mental health relates to our physical symptoms. So many people may not have the vocabulary to describe what they were feeling and experiences. 

Similarly, the California Department of Public Health’s Never a Bother suicide prevention campaign talks about suicide and suicidality in a really open and direct way. 

These CYBHI campaigns can have a powerful impact in changing the narrative.

Personal Experiences Take Center Stage

Among other CYBHI duties, you can often find Nathan alongside CYBHI Director Dr. Sohil Sud, presenting at conferences and moderating panels to uplift the work. During Mental Health Awareness Month, he joined First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Journalist Lisa Ling, California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly and more experts for a townhall to discuss the complex realities of youth mental health for parents, caregivers, and young people—and highlight how the CYBHI can better meet Californian’s where they are.

Nathan has been outspoken about his complex relationship with social media—something he spoke passionately about at the Mental Health Awareness Month townhall. He talked about intentionally replacing his social media/phone use with activities he used to find more joy in, such as gardening, writing or spending time with friends and loved ones. He didn’t think of putting his phone down as a loss but rather as “making room in his life for greater things.” 

These activities can also be referred to as stress busters – which the Live Beyond campaign is promoting as evidenced-based, healing strategies that can help buffer the impacts of ACEs and toxic stress. [Learn more about the campaign here.]

Finding Personal Healing in the Work

Nathan didn’t hesitate when he shared why his work with the CYBHI was personally healing for him. 

“What’s been immensely helpful is working to be part of that change. Taking what has harmed you and directing your actions and efforts to make sure no one else goes through that same thing is immensely healing.” 

At the end of the day, he feels fortunate to be in a position that helps other young people find the same healing in their own lives. 

Learn more about the CYBHI and the Youth at the Center at https://cybhi.chhs.ca.gov/  

Khoa-Nathan Ngo—former Bay Area resident—is a current student at UCLA majoring in psychology. He is a youth fellow advising the state’s Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative. Ngo is personally invested in promoting access and resources for California youth who may be experiencing mental health struggles.