Meet Our Team
- Laykin Register - State Level Youth Engagement Coordinator
Laykin Register is a native of Laurel, MS. Prior to NAMI MS, she served as Youth Peer Support Specialist in a System of Care grant called Crossover XPand, where she worked with youth and young adults ages 3-21 who were in child protective services and/or the juvenile justice system, or at risk for either one. She also served as a CPSS Ambassador for the MS Department of Mental Health. She was on the team to help develop and train the first modules for the youth and young adult peer support training certification. When Open Up Mississippi was first developing, she had the opportunity to be in the group that developed the name, mission and vision statements, and press conferences. She was a key speaker as a Peer Support Specialist for the 2020 Mental Health Awareness Day at the Capital in Jackson, MS. She is currently living with multiple mental health diagnoses. Some of which include: Major Depressive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Conversion Disorder. Because of these things, she has devoted her life to youth and young adult mental health. She also enjoys reading, cuddling with her two dogs, and being surrounded by her family and friends.
- Yasmine Ware - teen community outreach liaison & graphic designer
Yasmine Ware is a 17-year-old with a passion for advocacy through creative outlets. Senior at Madison Central High School, she intends to spread Open Up Mississippi and NAMI's missions through conversation and character. Yasmine's enthusiasm for mental health advocacy sparked at a young age when she accompanied her mother, Zandrea Ware, to NAMI meetings. Through those meetings, the experience of losing a classmate to mental health struggles, and her personal challenges, Yasmine understands the necessity for mental health resources and reducing the stigma around receiving them.
Yasmine spends her free time with her family and friends, writing songs, editing episodes for her podcast, Yasmine's Warehouse, and working on her graphic design business, Warehouse Enterprises LLC. In addition, she is a member of MC's Show Choir and Speech and Debate Team.
Yasmine hopes to give Open Up Mississippi a fresh and alluring brand design— one that is harmonious throughout social media posts and website redesign. She is beyond excited to combine her creativity with her passion for mental health advocacy through her role as Graphic Designer of Open Up Mississippi.
- cyntavia newton - public health intern
Cyntavia is a native of Madison, MS. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2018. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is passionate about helping others and serving her community. She is thrilled to be given the opportunity to work alongside NAMI Mississippi and Open Up Mississippi as an intern. Mental health affects how one thinks, feels, and acts. Often times it is looked over, and Cyntavia wants to bring a voice to mental health. She wants to help build better lives for those battling mental illness every day through advocacy and public awareness.