Strengthening Youth Mental Health

Overview

When children and youth can access the mental health supports they need and want, they are more likely to do well in school, remain in their homes, and contribute positively to their communities. 

However, the CDC found that only 53% of youth ages 3-17 with a current mental health condition said they had received treatment or counseling from a mental health professional in the last year. 

Youth may not know where to go for help, live in communities without sufficient, affordable or accessible supports, face stigma with accessing supports, or feel they cannot trust someone to help them. 

Without adequate services or timely access, children and teens’ unmet behavioral health needs can escalate into behaviors that lead them to emergency health systems, child welfare offices, or even run-ins with law enforcement. Such interactions can add additional stress and trauma and still may not help youth access needed supports. 

The GPL works with jurisdictions that are committed to testing new ways to serve youth and their families through efforts like: 

• Strengthening referral systems in schools and community programs so youth are quickly and kindly connected to the best-fit resources. 
• Building stronger, more culturally responsive, community-based health services, either by developing new programs or procuring for them. 
• Involving youth and families in the design of new practices and programs. 
• Using data to identify priority populations or drop-offs in service delivery. 
• Working with community providers to increase availability and reduce administrative barriers to families accessing services.