Leslie Roberts

Hometown: Fairfield, VT

Degree and graduation year: MPP, 2023

Where I interned: The Public Health Institute of Western MA, through a fellowship with the Civic Action Project.

What I am doing there: Helping to assemble a comprehensive database of organizations and programs that support youth mental health in western Massachusetts, and in Hampden County specifically. I am also doing research to examine each program’s efficacy and areas where they may need support.

The most important thing I am learning: That my community is even more resourceful and resilient than I previously thought it was, and that there are so many amazing organizations that exist specifically to support youth mental health in our area – even if some of them require more funding or support to better achieve their goals.

The most challenging part of my internship: I am working from home this summer, which makes it difficult to integrate with my host site and get to know the other members of the research team better.

Why I’m studying public policy: After getting my bachelor’s in public health from UMass and spending four years working at a few different public health organizations, I was able to see firsthand how policies create the conditions that affect people’s health. I wanted to gain a better understanding of how I can be involved in the process of improving on those policies (and instituting better ones) to improve the wellbeing of my community.

Future plans: I’ll be looking for a job (ideally one centered around health equity/public health policy) after I graduate in December, and plan to keep living and working in the Pioneer Valley for the foreseeable future!