
May is Mental Health Awareness Month , and the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB) recognizes the importance mental health and the significant role prevention and treatment plays in our programs. This month, we highlight resources, opportunities, and ways we strive to offer comprehensive services to enhance mental health and support the well-being of the youth and young adults who are served by FYSB programs.
In the past two State of the Union Addresses, President Biden has addressed our Nation’s mental health crisis. In his 2023 State of the Union Address, President Biden stated , “. . . let’s do more on mental health, especially for our children. When millions of young people are struggling with bullying, violence, trauma, we owe them greater access to mental health care…”
We know mental health is a national crisis for young people, with many lacking proper care. A CDC report stated (PDF) that in 2021, 42% of high school students felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks in a row that they stopped doing their usual activities. FYSB also fully understands that youth and young adults experiencing homelessness have significantly higher rates of mental health challenges, with an alarming 69% of youth experiencing homelessness reporting mental health challenges . Some studies have found that youth experiencing homelessness have a greater prevalence of mental health challenges such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Given that most mental health issues present prior to age 25, this represents an important time for us to intervene.
FYSB programs are continually working to find ways to coordinate with partners to provide mental health supports and services to youth and young adults. Addressing mental health issues in youth can set them up for a healthier and more stable transition to adulthood.
One of the Bureaus’ priorities is to lead in partnership with youth and young adults with lived experience and expertise. Through collaborative efforts with youth and young adults, FYSB and our grantees gain invaluable insights into emerging mental health trends and challenges faced by those served by FYSB programs. We know, through these partnerships, it is essential to develop tailored mental health resources for youth and young adults and to acknowledge the unique developmental stages, experiences, and challenges faced by them. It is also crucial to ensure that the interventions are effective and relevant. By being responsive to the specific needs and preferences of youth and young adults, these resources will be more effective and foster a supportive environment that promotes long-term mental well-being.
FYSB programs are uniquely situated to respond to this crisis. Our Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) Program is dedicated to the provision of emergency and long-term shelter, street outreach, and an array of comprehensive support services to address the needs of youth experiencing homelessness. The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention (APP) Program provides grants to states, Tribes and communities to prevent pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections among youth.
The following examples highlight the ways our programs impact this work across communities:
- Grantees funded by APP contribute to positive mental health by educating youth on various life aspects that contribute to healthy mindsets. The Sexual Risk Avoidance Education Program teaches youth personal responsibility, self-regulation, goal setting, healthy decision-making, a focus on the future, and the prevention of youth risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol use without normalizing teen sexual activity.
- Through the Personal Responsibility Education Program, we award grants to agencies to educate youth on healthy relationships, parent-child communication, adolescent development, body image and healthy life skills such as goal-setting, decision making, negotiation, communication, interpersonal skills, and stress management, among other issues.
- Our RHY, Basic Center Program provides outreach, crisis intervention, emergency shelter, counseling, family reunification and aftercare services to youth who have run away from home due to family conflict or other crisis and youth experiencing homelessness and their families. This includes up to 21 days of shelter, food, clothing and medical care, education and employment assistance, counseling, and mental health services.
- For pregnant and parenting young adults aged 16 to 22 who are experiencing homelessness, our Maternity Group Home Program grant recipients are required to provide services that foster positive mental health. These include effective parenting skills focused on healthy child development, family budgeting, nutrition, and mental and physical well-being.
- The We Think Twice™ campaign is a website and social media movement created in collaboration with young adults to promote healthy relationships, goal-setting, and smart decision-making among youth and young adults. The content offers resources on topics young adults are concerned about like leadership, mental health, jobs, dating and relationships. Topics such as mental health and young men, social media and mental health are supported with facts, tip sheets, quizzes, videos and various resources. FYSB has also recently engaged in an interagency partnership with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to leverage their expertise on mental health issues facing adolescents.
Whether directly or indirectly, FYSB grantees work to treat and prevent mental health issues with youth and young adults, assisting them in times of dire need, and setting them up for a mentally healthy transition to adulthood.
If you need immediate mental health support, please visit:
- 988 Lifeline : This provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones)
- FindTreatment.gov : Confidential and anonymous resource for persons seeking treatment for mental and substance use disorders in the United States and its territories)
Find more information on FYSB programs at: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb
FYSB -led mental health awareness resources:
- Advancing Mental Health Supports for Youth of Color Experiencing Homelessness and Other Youth Populations Critically in Need of Services and Supports
- New Resources on Behavioral Health for Young Adults, Families, and Professionals
- Strengthening Support for Adolescents and Young Adults in ACF Programs
- ACF’s Commitment to Behavioral Health
Other helpful resources: