California will continue to prioritize the health and wellbeing of children, youth and families.” With support from CYBHI, counties throughout California are increasing services to support kids and families. This factsheet, available in English and Spanish, features free CYBHI resources and supports to support adult and youth mental health.
Apply: Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative Local-Level Campaign Grants
The service has been evaluated through surveys, and the teams participate in the decision-making process in local and district committees (see Table 2, Item 4). Another integrative service in the United States is the Supporting Positive Opportunities with Teens (SPOT), established in 2008 in Missouri. In Israel, the Amitim for Youth program was established in 2018 by the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, and the Special Projects Fund of the National Insurance Institute. The Junction is another program in the UK that enables users with MHC (aged 12–21) to get involved in creative projects such as poetry, painting, collage, creative writing, etc. The tables list each program’s country of origin, website, stated target population, information on MHC if stated, and whether the program has been researched.
We also excluded programs that only provided therapy services or therapeutic interventions since they do not provide leisure and/or social activities in the community. Most programs, however, focus on primary care (e.g., referrals to mental health professionals) and do not provide the much-needed afterschool leisure and social activities (20) that are reviewed here. Programs with information in English that provide services in a community setting, service content that includes leisure and/or social activities, cater to users aged 10–18, and content explicitly targets adolescents with mental health conditions. Scant scholarly attention has been paid to leisure and/or social activities in community-based rehabilitation services for adolescents with mental health conditions. It involved allowing K-12 schools and colleges to charge Medi-Cal and private health insurance for behavioral health care provided on campus, a change that would allow them to provide more services and hire additional mental health staff.
- The Talk to Tweens program gives parents and teachers free tools to have conversations on mental health with middle school children.
- Stakeholders can measure the effectiveness of youth mental health initiatives through various metrics.
- Confidential behavioral health coaching, tools, and resources for parents or caregivers and children ages 0-12.
Promoting Healthy Digital Media Habits Within Families
Another social movement called Time To Change in the UK has been operating in community centers and schools since 2007. The team offers peer support as well as leisure and social activities such as outdoor activities, arts and crafts, drama, music, board games, bowling, cooking, athletics, etc. YWHO is an integrative (psychosocial, educational, medical, training, employment, and housing) government service in four centers that addresses the treatment gaps in the mental health system https://www.commonwealthfund.org/blog/2023/call-national-strategy-strengthen-youth-behavioral-health-workforce for users aged 12–25. This integrative service operates a youth center (the SPOT youth center) for adolescents and young adults aged 13–24, where a variety of essential facilities are provided (e.g., laundry, shower, kitchen, and computers).
The Promise and Challenges of School-Based Mental Health Interventions
Each year, over 10 million children and young people have access to improved services, with more than 6 million reached through prevention efforts and at least 330,000 receiving care. To that end, WHO has partnered with UNICEF, governments, and local stakeholders to deliver a Joint Programme on Mental Health and Psychosocial Wellbeing and Development of Children and Adolescents to strengthen country leadership and capacity to provide services for CYP and their caregivers. However, promising interventions include skills-building programmes for adolescents and for caregivers to promote responsible and safe engagement with social media; and technological tools to promote online safety, including reporting systems. In fact, when these interventions reach caregivers with mental health conditions, they could reduce the risk of mental health conditions in their children by 40%. National laws, policies and plans are also important to build systems for delivery of mental health preventative and care services.
Research indicates that schools implementing such initiatives see a 20% increase in student engagement and a notable decline in absenteeism. These programs foster communication, teamwork, and emotional understanding among participants. As a result, youth experience reduced anxiety and depression, leading to healthier lifestyles and academic success. Online therapy services connect users with licensed professionals, enhancing reach and convenience. These platforms offer accessibility, anonymity, and a range of resources for youth.
In Viet Nam, for example, the government formally has initiated a process to create psychosocial counselling positions in all primary and secondary education schools. Key indicators include participant feedback, changes in mental health outcomes, and community engagement levels. Stakeholders can measure the effectiveness of youth mental health initiatives through various metrics.