Youth in Crisis: How Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast is Tackling Mental Health Disparities (Op-Ed by President & CEO Freddy Williams)

The need for mental health support among young people has increased significantly, with at-risk youth being the most vulnerable, a group that is overwhelmingly of minority and racial-ethnic background. July is Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, and supporting the emotional well-being of the youth served in Boys & Girls Clubs has never been more critical. The past several years have featured ongoing and new challenges and uncertainties, including a global pandemic, social isolation, online social pressures, and civil unrest.
It’s no surprise that young people, especially those at a socioeconomic disadvantage, are experiencing optimal levels of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and even eating disorders. For example, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey of the Centers for Disease Control found significantly higher prevalence rates of depressive moods, suicidal notions, and suicidal attempts amongst Latino and African American youth compared to non-Hispanic whites. And the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year, 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-14.

As evidence of racial and ethnic disparities in mental health care access continues to rise, and access to quality mental health services seems to persist in communities with high populations of racial and ethnic minority youth, the question remains: Who will take action and provide feasible solutions for these kids and families?

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast witnessed a significant shift in service dynamics during the pandemic, which led to a more complex and innovative approach to daily programming once it was safe to welcome youth back into Clubs. While health and wellness has long served as one of five major pillars in Clubs across the country, addressing mental health has become an overarching priority to the physical and emotional wellness of not just our kids but our staff and families.

Of the 20,000+ local youth that we provide services to each year, 48% identify as African-American; 22% identify as Hispanic, Asian, or minority; 76% live in a single-parent home; and 92% qualify for free or reduced school lunch. As such, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast researched specific population needs and found that less than 40% of youths with mental health needs receive mental health services, and that socioeconomic disadvantages, such as poverty, family structure, and food insecurity, contribute significantly to mental health difficulties among minority youth (American Psychological Association). It has been through extensive research and internal/external observations that we have prioritized developing a comprehensive approach that focuses on prevention, access, and resource partnership.

Following guided key practices from Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), we have utilized an approach to create a continuum of preventative and responsive actions to address the current state of youth mental and emotional wellbeing. Clubs aim for (1.) all young people to receive emotionally safe, supportive, skill-building experiences via a trauma-informed approach, (2.) an increase in staff training that includes topics on trauma and mental health, (3.) proactive partnerships with families to meet youth needs, and (4.) building partnerships with national and local mental health service providers. These trauma informed trainings will be provided to our staff through BGCA annually, ensuring that we are equipping our team with the tools and resources necessary for support, guidance, and service to our young people.

Locally, in addition to our nine Pinellas County-based locations, our efforts have included both virtual and in-person resources that have resulted in more than 500 emotional well-being sessions with the Well for Life; a partnership with the National Center for Performance Health that includes monthly physician-guided sessions and weekly virtual lessons; opioid prevention program expansion in 22 Pinellas County Schools; an enhanced feeding program in partnership with USDA and the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County in 31 after school locations; and a targeted career exploration program geared to inspire, motivate, and equip our teen population with tools for emotional, financial, and future success.

These programs work in tandem with our school and community partners to address gaps, provide consistency and nurture the overall well-being of our youth. And the need is at an all-time high, especially in the communities where we intentionally foster a presence.
When organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs offer a space for young people to seek support, problem solve, and express their emotions, they promote that young person’s development of positive self-esteem, efficacy, and coping. But we can’t do it alone. To sustain these positive climates and strength-based programs, we need the active engagement of communities, including individuals, local businesses, mission-similar entities, and elected officials. Only then can we ensure our youth have the support they need to achieve a Great Future. Simply put, the answer to the question of who will take action is: We will.