Undiagnosed, untreated, or undertreated mental health concerns can disrupt a child’s development into adulthood and ability to learn and grow. Children and adolescents struggling with their mental health often have no place to go or face financial barriers to seeking help.
Early screening and early intervention are essential, because when a child who needs help is identified and receives help early on, they experience better outcomes and fewer negative impacts on their life. The Children’s Foundation is committed to meeting children where they are and helping them access services in their communities.
Nearly 1 in 10 kids under 17 have a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder.
(AHRQ National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, 2022)
44% of high school students reported they persistently felt sad or hopeless during the past year.
(CDC, 2021)
In Michigan, in the past year 16.55% of youth ages 12-17 suffered from at least one major depressive episode; 59.7% have not received mental health treatment.
(MHA, 2023)
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents between the ages of 10 and 14, and the third leading cause of death for those between 15 and 25.
(CDC, 2021)
We are focused on supporting community solutions and impactful interventions that ensure kids have timely, equitable access to quality mental health care. Since 2020, we have awarded more than $4 million for community programs that help kids through their mental health challenges.
With a $25,000 grant award, Caleb’s Kids provides targeted mental health resources for youth that are deaf or hard hearing who have barriers to finding help. Challenges such as isolation, lack of communication, and lack of adapted services due to their disability impact the mental wellbeing of these young people. The program offers alternatives to self-harm activities and education on coping mechanisms with the goal of preventing suicide ideation and suicide completion. To learn more, here.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Michigan Eastpointe Club is using a $50,000 grant award to provide accessible, trusted, and consistent mental and behavioral health services to children and parents. Services include free individual therapy, group therapy, family therapy, staff consultation, support groups, and psychological testing.
OUR MISSION
The Children’s Foundation is a catalyst for change, partnering with the community to advance solutions and discoveries that improve the physical and mental health of children in Michigan.
