The Mental Health Crisis

Did you know?

• 50 percent of all chronic mental illness begins by age 14

• Suicide is the second leading cause of death in adolescents.

• Less than 20 percent of children with chronic mental illness get help.

What’s more, shortage of resources means that patients often have to wait for care. That wait can be life-threatening for children at risk.
 

We’re here to help.

As the first regional outpatient child and adolescent center, the new Golisano Pediatric Behavioral Health and Wellness Building will answer our urgent need for space and provide much-needed programs to patients and families in a warm and spacious setting.

How you can help.

Together, we can make sure that critical resources are available to help every child and adolescent who is struggling with mental health issues. Your support can fund:

Mental Health Clinicians

The severe shortage of mental health clinicians in our community makes it difficult for patients to access care. Without outpatient treatment, patients are at much greater risk of reaching a crisis situation. Philanthropy can help us hire, retain, and train more outstanding providers—including specialists like child life workers and family navigators—so that we can better serve more children.

Expanded Community Partnerships

Schools and community organizations offer a viable, consistent venue for prevention programming. With increased funding, we can develop a comprehensive, consistent program that expands existing YMCA—and school-based mental health programs—serving an increased number of schools and organizations more effectively.

Universal Pediatric Mental Health Screenings

Universal screenings are standard for hearing, speech, and vision, but not for behavioral health. By identifying issues early, we can provide intervention and treatment before conditions escalate. With additional funding, we can work with school systems and pediatric primary care providers to establish universal mental health screenings across Monroe County.

Primary Care Partnerships

Pediatric primary care providers are critical partners to mental health clinicians. Unfortunately, many aren’t trained in the latest evidence-based treatment and prevention strategies, and New York State no longer provides funding to train primary care providers. With more support, we can offer trainings to providers across Monroe County and provide ancillary services such as case management for specific issues.

Together, we can make sure all the resources are available to help every child and adolescent who is struggling with mental health issues.  To learn more about naming opportunities within the building or how to make a gift, please contact Scott Rasmussen at (585) 273-5932 or scott.rasmussen@rochester.edu.