Our Work with Youth Mental Health & Wellness

Our Community Foundation recognizes that many young people across the seven counties we serve in western Colorado experience higher rates of mental health challenges which often lead to negative and often deadly consequences including substance abuse and suicide. In addition, children and youth are experiencing increased anxiety, depression and hopelessness worsened by the negative impacts of social media, and the isolation and disruption from an unprecedented and ongoing pandemic.

Our YouthStrong initiative seeks to help youth and families address these challenges. We work to convene stakeholders to determine needs and gaps in services. We identify evidence-based programs for funding and technical support, and help raise community awareness around these issues. Click below to explore our work and find resources to help youth and families stay safe and successful…online and in school.

YouthStrong is a multi-tiered initiative that focuses on efforts to help youth increase resilience and well-being and programs to prevent substance abuse and suicide.

988 is a new, nation-wide, three- digit phone number for Americans in crisis to connect directly with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors. Similar to dialing 911 for an emergency, anyone including youth and people with disabilities can dial or text 988 to be immediately connected to a live person to help with a mental health crisis. For more information, visit Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)