RHYTTAC Youth Mental Health ResourceThe Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) and the Runaway and Homeless Youth Training, Technical Assistance, and Capacity Building Center (RHYTTAC) have developed a resource on the Safe, Supportive & Responsive Approaches to Youth Mental Health. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health challenges among youth have been rising steadily for many years. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that between 2009 to 2019, the proportion of high school students reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness increased by 40%, those seriously considering attempting suicide increased by 36%, and the share creating a suicide plan increased by 44%. Since the pandemic began, rates of psychological distress among young people, including symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges have increased significantly. Recent research from the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) covering 80,000 youth globally, identified a substantial continual decline in youth mental health. The study found that depressive and anxiety symptoms doubled during the pandemic, with 25% of youth experiencing depressive symptoms and 20% experiencing anxiety symptoms. In the U.S., this crisis has prompted a U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory regarding youth mental health and increased resources directed towards prevention and intervention. Programs serving youth experiencing homelessness have also identified a significant increase in both the number and intensity of youth mental health needs over the past two years. Across regions, youth are experiencing high rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, and programs often support youth through situations of intense crisis. Responding to the urgent mental health needs of youth experiencing homelessness requires us to look at practices and policies to ensure that they are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and youth-led. This resource was developed to provide practical strategies and resources to support youth mental health through prevention, crisis intervention, and restorative practices. Access the Resource here:
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Contact RHYTTAC! Phone: (412) 399-5747 Email: [email protected] |
RHYTTAC is sponsored by the Family and Youth Services Bureau within the Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.