Re: “Focus on youth mental health or face unimaginable costs” [Dec. 7, Opinion]:
Worldwide Neighborhood Well being Providers operates school-based well being facilities in Seattle and Bellevue with employees to offer trauma-informed emotional and psychological well being assist. SBHCs meet youth the place they already are — in school. We function the one SBHC within the Bellevue Faculty District.
Lots of our college students and households are immigrants or refugees going through numerous challenges adjusting to life right here and overcoming trauma. In response to the Nationwide Institutes of Well being, a few of their commonest limitations to accessing well being care embrace: language, monetary assets, disgrace/stigma, well being care information and concern of deportation. It’s no shock that this mix results in poor well being outcomes.
Youngsters who don’t get assist when it’s wanted face better dangers as they develop into adults, together with violence, homelessness and substance use. Early funding and intervention will stop crises and outcomes sooner or later that value our society thousands and thousands in social providers. And with out sufficient grownup psychological well being suppliers, investing in class helps is that rather more crucial. With assets embedded at faculties, households don’t should navigate discovering a supplier, transportation or taking time without work.
The time is now to completely spend money on supporting the psychological and emotional well being of all our youth.
Kelli Nomura, MBA, MHP, chief government officer, Worldwide Neighborhood Well being Providers
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