Generation REACH: Transforming Mental Health Care for All Youth and Families

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Locally and nationally, we are experiencing a youth mental health crisis. Youth suicide rates were rising before the pandemic, and COVID-19 has had a significant impact on youth.

One out of every 5 kids has a mental health disorder that significantly affects their life, and currently only about half of those kids get treatment.

Seattle Children’s has made a long-term commitment to mental and behavioral health as an inextricable part of child health. This organizational commitment combines generous philanthropic support with a multiyear commitment through our strategic plan.

Seattle Children’s is convening a coalition to reimagine pediatric mental health care so that all children, teens and families can live their healthiest and most fulfilling lives possible.

This means every child would have access to the support and resources they need to succeed and to be happy, safe and well within their family, school and community.

Now is the time for a once-in-a-generation collaboration to transform the behavioral health paradigm. Youth mental health is a growing crisis that has been further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic turmoil. And for too long, Black, Latinx and Indigenous people have been underserved by the mental health system and under-represented among mental health providers.

The intent is to involve youth, families and a broad coalition of community partners who represent the communities we serve.

Together, we will meet the need for timely, effective crisis intervention and care for families whose children have serious mental health challenges. To reduce future crises and to support mental wellness, we will move to include preventive and strengths-based approaches and away from a singular focus on problem-based models of care. We will build upon positive attributes and skills that support social and emotional well-being for all youth and their families. We will join forces with the many others who are working to eliminate youth suicide.

You can read more about the five focus areas of Generation REACH and donate to support mental health care on our website.