Understanding Houston’s Post

🧠 This Mental Health Awareness Month, we'd like to shine a spotlight on a few of the incredible nonprofits focused on providing access to mental health resources in the social-impact sector. Each organization is dedicated to bringing attention and awareness to mental health issues and reducing the stigma around seeking mental health support. 💚 Open Paths Counseling Center Open Paths Counseling Center’s mission is to meet the evolving mental health needs of the Los Angeles community through quality counseling for individuals and families at affordable fees; free therapy programs for at-risk children and youth in local schools; and a highly-respected therapist training program. 💚 Doorways Founded in 1978, this nonprofit creates pathways out of homelessness, domestic violence, and sexual assault leading to safe, stable, and empowered lives. They envision a community where all people live free of violence and have safe and stable housing. 💚 Mindful Life Project Headquartered in Richmond, California, Mindful Life Project (MLP) is an educational nonprofit whose mission is to empower underserved children through mindfulness and other transformative skills to gain self-awareness, confidence, self-regulation and resilience, leading to lifelong success. 💚 Erika's Lighthouse This social-impact organization's mission is to provide free mental health programs for any school, anywhere. They create upper elementary, middle school and high school mental health, depression and suicide awareness programs so educators, families and teens can create safe spaces to learn about mental health, letting students know they are never alone, and there is somewhere to turn. 💚 Connecting Mothers Initiative Connecting Mother's Initiative is dedicated to nurturing a supportive community for mothers and birth givers who feel disconnected or lack a traditional village network. They strive to empower individuals to navigate the journey of motherhood with confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging, fostering a community where every voice is heard, valued, and uplifted. 💭 Looking to take action with one of the nonprofits listed above? Easily save an organization to your Idealist.org profile to be notified when they're hiring or looking for volunteers! #MentalHealth #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth

StrongMinds, a DRK Foundation portfolio organization, treats women and adolescents with depression in low-income, sub-Saharan African communities. Leveraging group interpersonal therapy, StrongMinds has provided treatment to over 600,000 individuals, with 80% of their patients remaining depression-free six months after therapy. Because of their proven impact, StrongMinds is expanding to the United States and recently launched in New Jersey to address the growing youth mental health crisis. Catalyzed by a grant from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, StrongMinds America is providing mental health screenings, workshops, presentations, and resources to youth in under-resourced communities to help them identify signs and symptoms of mental health concerns. So far, in 2024, StrongMinds America has connected 500 youth in New Jersey to mental health support. Their long-term goal is to fundamentally increase access to mental health services in all 50 states.  “This grant from Horizon has enabled StrongMinds America to challenge stigma and misconceptions about mental health that keep people from reengaging with services they need. Our goal has always been to remove barriers to care in communities we serve, and this funding is crucial in achieving this goal,” says Sean Mayberry, founder and CEO of StrongMinds, about their recent support. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/esMnCEm3

Children's Mental Health Week 2024 will take place from 5–11 February 2024. This year's theme is 'My Voice Matters'. This week is run by children's mental health charity Place2Be My Voice Matters is about empowering children and young people by providing them with the tools they need to express themselves. The Lancaster Model is proud to support this initiative, which aligns so well with our vision that every child or young person has the opportunity to have their health needs assessed and to ask for information, help, and support when they need it- to have a voice and be listened to. Having been developed over many years, being evidence and research-based, The Lancaster Model (TLM) offers an online Health Needs Assessment Tool (questionnaire) provided by our trusted technology Partner Aire Innovate, that enables children, young people, and their families the opportunity to have their health and well-being assessed and reviewed by their local Specialist Community Health Nurses and health teams. The anonymised public health data gathered via the Portal shows how important it is to understand the wider perspective as early as possible. Currently, it is showing that for children at school entry age ( 4-5yrs), Borderline and Abnormal Emotional Health difficulties has increased by 9% over the last 7 years. In 2017/18 the total school entry children ( where the area uses TLM) who had difficulties was 10% but the current school year so far shows this at 19% The stats for Year 6 children ( 10-11 yrs) have increased by 8% over the last 7 years with the current year showing a rate of 30% so far. There is also a noticeable trend for Mid Teen young people in 2023/24 for those who are answering the Question "Do you usually look forward to your day ahead?" the highest numbers answering "NO" identifying as Non-binary or other ( not identifying as male or female). To be able to identify a potential problem ahead before that child "gets into the fire" is crucial to the long-term outcomes for that individual.#prevention

The publication of a report by The Resolution Foundation paints a stark...and to be hones...embarrassing picture in relation to the mental health of our young generation. When will those who lead REALLY and FULLY grasp how badly we are letting our young people down. One key finding here: Over one-in-three (34 per cent) of young people aged 18-24 reported symptoms that indicated they were experiencing a common mental health disorder (CMD) like depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder – a big increase since 2000 when less one-in-four (24 per cent) reported these problems. As a result, more than half a million 18-24-year-olds were prescribed anti-depressants in 2021-22. The Calzy Foundation will continue to force the agenda on two key things: - a distinct three-digit Mental Health Emergency Helpline (not NHS111 - that's for toothache NOT for a desperate call or cry for help) - and we will continue to raise funding and donations to enable us to further offer FREE Mental Health First Response training to young adults. So much could and should be done to halt this tsunami of mental health in our young...they are our future. STOP promoting compulsory Maths until your 18 and instead focus on the reality of life. #mentalhealth #suicideprevention #younggeneration #calscall https://lnkd.in/epSGpS_6

News headlines continue to show we have a mental health crisis in our local primary schools. Ryan is not alone in battling through trauma, anxiety, fears and other mental health challenges. (If you missed Ryan’s story last week, see our previous post or click here: https://lnkd.in/gkBC7ZUb) News headlines (from just the last three months) have been sounding the alarm: Children’s mental health is worsening. Where is the minister for primary kids? —The Sydney Morning Herald, Aug. 6, 2023 ‘Anxiety is a very real thing’: Spike in school refusal sparks call for national plan —The Age, Aug. 10, 2023 Perth teachers panic as student mental health crisis escalates —WA Today, Oct. 10, 2023 Calls for more psychologists in schools amid increase in mental disorders —ABC News, Nov. 5, 2023 There has never been a greater need to focus on child wellbeing. There has never been a greater need for Kids Hope mentors! With a mentor in their court, showing up once a week with care, consistency and fun, kids feel seen and valued, and grow in understanding that their lives matter. Kids Hope forms a weekly shelter in the storm of life for vulnerable kids and shines a light of hope into their future. Will you give the gift of hope this Christmas by supporting other vulnerable kids like Ryan, who might otherwise give up on school and life? Great News! A generous supporter has offered to match your donation this Christmas up to $10,000 so you can double your impact! Your gift of ... $75 provides mentoring for a child for not one but two terms $300 provides mentoring for not one but two children for a year $3,000 provides mentoring for not one but two schools for a year Please join us by giving generously today. https://lnkd.in/gSYxcsxi

The following post and linked story discuss suicide. If you or someone you know needs mental health resources and support, please call, text or chat with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. In a recent article from CityView Media, faculty member Dorothy Espelage, Ph.D., shares her insights on suicide prevention in schools and how a program she is working on may help to prevent suicides. “Sources of Strength,” a youth mental health and suicide prevention program focusing on community and hope and a course in the UNC School of Education, has been found to reduce suicides as seen in Espelage’s research. “To this day, you’ll continue to see very little prevention efforts — primary prevention, trying to get upstream, trying to create school connectedness and belonging and trusted adults so that kids don’t get depressed [or] anxious and attempt suicide.” Read more about Espelage’s work and Sources of Strength. ▶️ https://bit.ly/3RPubKe

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 In the past decade, rates of youth depression almost doubled, with nearly one out of every three teenagers in the U.S. reporting poor mental health. Suicide ranks as the second-leading cause of death among 15 to 24-year-olds in the United States. These statistics paint a stark reality, with almost one-third of working parents feeling overwhelmed by their child's mental health needs. Mental health has now become the top concern for parents, surpassing worries about substance use, teen pregnancy, and getting in trouble with the police. Working closely with Alliant’s California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) in San Diego, the Alliant Educational Foundation is building new bridges in support of children’s mental health. We’re partnering with a variety of San Diego-based non-profit organizations to bolster their capacity to provide high-quality mental health support to some of the populations who most desperately need it, while also providing invaluable training opportunities for CSPP-SD students. https://lnkd.in/eQXkYxi8

During Suicide Awareness Month, UnityPoint Health psychiatrist, Dr. Maurizio Pugliese, addresses mental health concerns from kids and teens during back-to-school season based on a statewide survey. "Unfortunately, it seems the return of the school year can bring up feelings of isolation, which probably arises from feeling unsupported in school, like they don't belong or fit in with peer groups. Add the pressure to do well academically and keep up with demanding schedules in a system still recovering from a global pandemic. It's tremendous. As resilient as our youth are, it's no wonder they're struggling. Importantly, the survey also highlights that certain subgroups of children are struggling more, including female students, students of color, LGBTQ youth and students with chronic medical conditions, among others. It's important for kids to know there are supportive adults in the school setting and community. Schools may have a guidance counselor or school psychologist capable of helping. There are also therapists and psychiatrists in the community to provide additional professional support. For parents, recognize your teen may need your support. If they're struggling with school starting up, it may actually be due to depression or anxiety. They may benefit from checking in with you or a mental health professional. Remind them they aren't alone. Also recognize there are increased risks for suicide in youth during this time, and it's OK to ask them if they're having suicidal thoughts. It doesn't make it more likely they'll act on it but actually makes it more likely they'll let you know if they're in danger. The suicide hotline (988) is a resource available 24/7 and primary care physicians, or even emergency medical care, are appropriate options to consider if safety concerns arise. " Learn more about our mental health services: https://uph.link/kn5 #NationalSuicideAwarenessMonth

The Silent Crisis: Understanding and Addressing Child Suicide Child suicide is a heartbreaking and often overlooked crisis, but it is a reality that demands our attention. Recent statistics paint a grim picture: suicide is now the second leading cause of death among children aged 10-14 in the United States. This tragic phenomenon raises urgent questions about the state of mental health support for our youth and highlights the need for immediate action. Understanding the Causes Child suicide is a complex issue with many contributing factors. Mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, play a significant role. However, external pressures, including bullying, abuse, and trauma, can exacerbate these conditions. Social media and the internet also contribute to a sense of isolation or inadequacy among young people, further intensifying their struggles. The Role of Schools and Communities Schools and communities have a critical role in identifying at-risk children and providing the support they need. Early intervention is key. Educators, counselors, and community leaders must be equipped with the tools and knowledge to recognize warning signs, such as changes in behavior, withdrawal, or expressions of hopelessness. Preventative Measures Preventing child suicide requires a multifaceted approach. This includes increasing access to mental health services, fostering open communication about mental health issues, and creating environments where children feel safe and supported. Schools should implement programs that teach emotional resilience and coping skills, while parents and caregivers must be encouraged to engage in meaningful conversations with their children about their feelings and experiences. The statistics around child suicide are a call to action for all of us. We must advocate for better mental health resources, both within schools and the broader community. By raising awareness and providing the necessary support, we can help prevent these tragedies and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive. In a world where the pressures on young people are ever-increasing, it is our collective responsibility to ensure that they do not face these challenges alone. Let’s work together to create a future where every child feels valued, supported, and safe. Incorporating these insights into our daily interactions with children—whether as parents, educators, or community members—can make a significant difference. Let’s commit to being vigilant, compassionate, and proactive in addressing this silent crisis. The lives of our children depend on it. #childabuse #suicide #help

I want to share a conversation that was sparked by a drive through the beautiful state of Wyoming. When you think about Wyoming, you might picture breathtaking landscapes and wide-open spaces. But hidden within all that beauty is a pressing need for mental health services for our most vulnerable population—children. And it got me thinking, what does it really mean to support these services? And how can we, as a collective society, contribute to this need? I did a little digging into St. Joseph's Children Home website. I found that they provide services for children facing mental health challenges, many of whom have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. And the reality is that facilities like these are often underfunded and overwhelmed. The demand for these services is skyrocketing, while resources remain painfully limited. Statistics reveal that mental health disorders among children are at an all-time high. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 1 in 6 children in the U.S. experience a mental health disorder each year. This figure is staggering, and what’s more concerning is the lack of access to adequate care. If you think about it, each number represents a child who is struggling, who needs help—they’re not just statistics. And that brings me to the topic of the day: socialism and the role it can play in addressing these societal needs. Now, bear with me! I know socialism is weaponized as a word but it's not only a part of human society it's also an integral part of the American identity of caring for those in need. Socialism can be a polarizing topic, but at its core, it advocates for systems where everyone has access to basic needs—healthcare being one of them. Imagine a society where mental health care is not a privilege but a right. Where mental health facilities, like St. Joseph’s, are fully funded and staffed to meet the overwhelming demand. Consider the impact that comprehensive mental health resources could have on children’s lives. It’s not just about treatments; it’s about creating safe spaces for healing—and, ultimately, thriving. An approach that removes the burden of financial strain from families, so that support is accessible to all who need it. I understand that socialism isn’t the silver bullet for every issue, but it sparks a valuable conversation. How can we create systems that prioritize mental health in a way that is equitable? We as a society must advocate for better funding, better access, and better support for mental health services—especially for children.” Link to St.Josephs Children's Home site : https://lnkd.in/eQwwaqXn