Youth Wellness Initiative
Youth today face a growing set of behavioral health challenges. Addressing these challenges requires early intervention, expanded access to services, and efforts to reduce stigma and build resilience
According to a Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) report, in 2023 more than a quarter of Nebraska high school students said they felt sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks in the past year. At the same time, youth nationwide are spending more time on phones and social media than ever before, leading to increased anxiety, depression, sleep disruption, and negative self-image.
Now is the time for Nebraska to demonstrate their commitment to addressing youth mental health.
Our work
Bridges to Mental Health
For Educators
Bridges to Mental Health for Educators will train K-12 administrators, faculty, and staff to heighten their awareness of common behavioral disorders and how they manifest in students and to strengthen their confidence in identifying these conditions to engage appropriate supports.
This program for educators builds off of the proven success of the same program for healthcare providers that has uptrained more than 500 providers across Nebraska and Western Iowa over the past two years. In doing so, it recognizes the critical and unique role the school community plays in helping mitigate the gap in access to behavioral health care for youth.
This program for educators builds off of the proven success of the same program for healthcare providers that has uptrained more than 500 providers across Nebraska and Western Iowa over the past two years. In doing so, it recognizes the critical and unique role the school community plays in helping mitigate the gap in access to behavioral health care for youth.
Student Script Competition
“Disconnected”
Calling the next generation of writers, filmmakers, and mental health advocates!
In partnership with glowMedia, our first-ever script competition–exclusive to Nebraska middle and high school students–was a meaningful opportunity for students to author their own stories, to give voice to their own perspectives and experiences on where technology and mental wellness intersect.
Students across the stated submitted their ideas for a short film designed to spark meaningful conversation around their “always-on, always-connected” culture. The winner received a free trip to Los Angeles to help create the short film.
Stay tuned for the film’s release in the spring!
In partnership with glowMedia, our first-ever script competition–exclusive to Nebraska middle and high school students–was a meaningful opportunity for students to author their own stories, to give voice to their own perspectives and experiences on where technology and mental wellness intersect.
Students across the stated submitted their ideas for a short film designed to spark meaningful conversation around their “always-on, always-connected” culture. The winner received a free trip to Los Angeles to help create the short film.
Stay tuned for the film’s release in the spring!
Youth Mental Health in Nebraska
1 in 5
Nebraska children report experiencing a mental health condition each year
24%
Increase in mental health-related ER visits among 5- to 11-year-olds
One-third
of NE counties lack a behavioral health provider
