Episode 310What are the Mental Health Needs of our Teens and Young Adults? - Survey Findings

With Guests:
Margi Taber: Wayne County Department of Mental Health

Aubry Ball & Jason Teller: Monroe County Office of Mental Health

My guests on this episode of The Helping Conversation sit in with me to share and discuss the findings from the 2020 Youth and Young Adults Ages 12-24 Survey. The purpose of this survey, conducted by the Adolescent Subcommittee of The Consortium of Alcohol and Substance Abuse of the Finger Lakes/Region II, New York, was to gather information on how youth and young adults are managing during these difficult times.

A specific focus was placed on (1) How youth view connection with others, (2) the traits that youth desire
in a trusted adult, and (3) Services youth want to access within their region.
Key findings from this survey include (1) youth trust each other to be the experts and (2) youth want a voice in decisions that impact their lives.

My guests discuss the historical challenges inherent in a mental health system designed and run by adults who have done little to authentically listen to the thoughts and perspectives of our youth as well as the limitations to programs and systems that continue to utilize strategies and modalities that do not meet the complex mental health needs of today’s teens and young adults.
Strategies that have been found to be effective in engaging our youth in conversations regarding service provision are identified and explored.

For more information:
Finger Lakes Addiction Resource Center
https://ncadd-ra.org/services/finger-lakes-addiction-resource-center/
2020 Youth and Young Adults Ages 12-24 Survey Report Summary
https://ncadd-ra.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/FL-CASAS-Adol-Comm-Youth-and-Young-Adult-Survey-Report-2020.pdf