Young Innovator in Behavioral Health Awardee

Carissa Parsons is a young adult mental health advocate who has created innovative youth peer support programming in Nevada. She has a Masters in Mental Health and Wellness to accompany her certifications as a PRSS, PRSS-S, and CHW II. In her role with NAMI Western Nevada, she has developed and implemented new programs in Rural Nevada based on community need and collaboration. Carissa co-developed the Nevada Teen Peer Support Text Line that launched in 2022. This youth peer support program is the only non-crisis peer support text line in the nation that provides both inbound and outbound services. Carissa later went on to develop the Online Chat expansion for the Nevada Teen Peer Support Text Line that launched in November 2023. Additionally, she developed the framework for creating the Youth Peer Recovery Support Specialist Program which was funded as a pilot program by HRSA and in collaboration with the System of Care.