Testimony to the House Appropriations Article II Subcommittee
Addressing the mental health of children and youth needs requires more than treating those with the most significant needs. The state’s approach must also include a continuum of prevention and interventions strategies in schools and communities that can prevent young people with social and emotional concerns from developing more serious mental health concerns, including hopelessness and despair that leads to suicide.
This testimony provides recommendations on how the state can support prevention, intervention, and treatment of mental health concerns among children and youth, including school-based interventions; suicide prevention; ensuring children with serious emotional disturbance and their families have access to services that help them be successful in their homes and schools; and ensuring they receive quality care when residential treatment is necessary.