Today’s youth see more of what life has to offer – both good and bad – on television, at school, in magazines, and on the internet which makes providing programs like Mental Health Intervention for youth in Anacortes schools even more important now than ever before.

 Mental health is an essential part of a child’s overall health and has a complex interactive relationship with their physical health and their ability to succeed in school, at work, and in society. Your support enables direct access to effective care including 560 counseling, therapy, and social work sessions in the 2017/2018 school year alone! You create a safe and trusted environment that aids them in dealing with many different types of mental health problems that may develop including coping with peer suicide; unrealistic academic, social, or family expectations; financial burdens, substance abuse, and much more.

 A student reported that, “Meeting at school is helpful for me. I get to talk to someone outside of my family and friends about anything that I might be thinking or feeling. I like that I don’t have to go in before or after school to meet with them. I think this program is helpful and could help more kids.”

According to the 2016 Children’s Mental Health Report, young people with access to mental health treatment and services in school are 10 times more likely to seek help for mental health and substance abuse concerns than those who do not have such programs available. Kudos to you for making it possible to provide help onsite, at school, to our students.