New online mental health re
Posted
Wednesday,October 14, 20268:34 am
WISCONSIN – The www.wosta.org/teen-mental-health-re
“Parents, educators and youth-program professionals want to support young people, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming,” said Dr. Kelsie-Marie Offenwanger, Marshfield Clinic Pediatric Psychologist. “This rens can more easily find practical strategies, credible information and pathways to additional help.”
Need is reflected in data
According to the 2023 Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 59 percent of high school students reported experiencing at least one mental health challenge during the previous 12 months. More than half, 51.6 percent, reported anxiety; 35 percent reported experiencing hopelessness almost every day for two weeks or more; and 20.9 percent reported non-suicidal self-harm.
Marshfield Clinic said Wisconsin’s youth mental health challenges can also have life-threatening consequences.
“The Wisconsin Department of Health Services continues to track suicide deaths and circumstances among young people through state death records and the Wisconsin Violent Death Reporting System, emphasizing that as the second leading cause of death for youth, suicide as a serious wellness, stress and mindfulness, sleep and mental wellness, bullying and cyberbullying, school-life balance and crisis support
Marshfield Clinic noted that the hub also connects visitors to trusted mental health organizations, wellness tools and resionals
The project was developed to fill an identified gap in existing resources for middle- and high-school-age youth, according to Marshfield Clinic. WOSTA’s network identified a particular need for mental health supports serving this age group, including tools that help teens regulate emotions, strengthen relationships, develop healthy boundaries, tolerate discomfort and build positive leadership skills. The project also prioritizes practical strategies adults can use when supporting teens in after-school and other youth-serving settings.
The re Mental Health Care Access grant administered by the
