By: Kari Radjewski, director of Marketing & Communications
For Kyiah, finding a space where she felt truly understood wasn’t easy. As a deaf youth, she often experienced isolation and lacked access to mental health support tailored to her needs. That changed when she found Caleb’s Kids. There, she not only learned how to care for her mental health but also found a community of peers who understood her experiences.
“It’s fun coming here,” Kyiah shared. “I get to make friends with other deaf and hard of hearing people, we learn about mental health through fun activities, and how to support each other, too.”
In Michigan, 13.5% of children ages 3 to 17 were diagnosed with or reported experiencing anxiety or depression in 2022*. Kids who are deaf and hard of hearing are two to four times likely than their hearing peers to struggle with mental health challenges **. Our state currently faces a shortage of child and adolescent mental health professionals – and for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth, the barriers are even greater. These kids often face isolation, communication challenges, and a lack of mental health resources tailored to their needs.
Caleb’s Kids, a Wayne County-based organization focused on mental health education and suicide prevention for youth and families, is working to change that. Thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Children’s Foundation, Caleb’s Kids has expanded its support for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth through the Youth Driven Immersive Wellness Experience.
This effort goes beyond direct support – it’s also raising awareness about the urgent need for more inclusive mental health care across Michigan.
The Youth Driven Immersive Wellness Experience offers trauma-informed, culturally relevant education with American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters and adapted materials. It provides accessible mental health education for 75 deaf and hard-of-hearing youth and 25 parents – many of whom had never had resources tailored to their communication needs before. By equipping families with coping strategies and peer support, the program is actively reducing isolation and bridging the gap in mental health care for deaf youth
“We’re not just giving these kids information; we’re giving them the tools to choose life,” said Kiesha Jackson, founder and CEO of Caleb’s Kids. “This program shows kids they aren’t alone and helps build a support system of peers and resources.”
At the Children’s Foundation, we believe every child deserves the resources to grow up healthy and supported. Mental health is a critical part of overall well-being, yet too many kids – especially those facing additional barriers like communication challenges – struggle to get the help they need. Supporting the Youth Driven Immersive Wellness Experience helps break down these barriers and empowers organizations like Caleb’s Kids to create lasting change.
The impact is already clear. Youth like Kyiah are gaining valuable coping skills, a sense of belonging, and are part of a growing movement to make mental health care more inclusive. By improving access, we are reshaping how mental health resources reach the children who need them most, ensuring no child is left without support.
*The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Kids Count Data Book
**National Instititues of Health, 2023
