News from the Field Related to Wraparound
Recognizing and Responding to Child Anxiety
February 3, 2024
Anxiety and depression among young people has increased since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, doubling according to some estimates. But it’s not always easy to distinguish potentially problematic anxiety from normal, everyday worries. This brief discusses how to know when anxiety becomes a serious concern, and how to respond.
Supporting Youth Mental Health With Arts-Based Strategies
February 3, 2024
This article discusses the global youth mental health crisis and notes major gaps in the knowledge and resources needed to address it. It goes on to describe the potential for arts- and culture-based strategies to help meet this challenge, review the mounting evidence regarding art’s ability to support mental health, and call for action to undertake critical research and its translation into accessible community practices.
Strong Social Networks Key for Young People’s Mental Health
February 3, 2024
New research demonstrates that having strong social networks, or a set of individuals a person is connected to, can make people more resilient to symptoms of anxiety and depression, particularly among young adults whose social lives and relationships were disrupted by COVID-19.
Youth Leadership in Addressing the Mental Health Crisis
January 8, 2024
Members of Mental Health America’s Young Leaders Council have co-authored a report focusing on their ideas for improving young adult wellbeing nationwide. The report highlights the young leaders’ programs and advocacy, with the goal of expanding and replicating youth-led solutions to the mental health crisis.
Toolkit Highlights Using Wraparound to Address Disparities in Child Welfare
January 8, 2024
This toolkit centers racial equity in family sustainability. The recommended approach includes high-fidelity Wraparound and focuses on prevention.
Wellness Best Practices for Parent Peer Support Partners
January 8, 2024
This brief document outlines best practices, strategies and considerations for supervising parent peer support partners and promoting their wellness and self-care.
Intervention Shows Success in Reducing Disparities in Suspension Rates
January 8, 2024
Despite attempts to eliminate bias from school discipline policies, Black students continue to receive harsher punishments than White students for the same infractions. A new intervention, known as empathic discipline, has led to dramatic improvements by encouraging teachers to cultivate a growth mindset and respond with empathy when students act out.
Youth Perspectives on Designing Equitable Out-of-School-Time Programs
December 1, 2023
A youth-led research project provides an indication of how young people from marginalized communities may experience out-of-school-time programming, including that they are sometimes treated differently because of race, gender identity, or other factors.
Research Documents the Importance of “Enduring Relationships” for Foster Youth
December 1, 2023
Enduring relationships have real consequences for foster youth, reducing the risk of negative outcomes in early adulthood, such as food insecurity, economic hardship, and homelessness. They were also more likely to experience positive outcomes, such as having greater earnings and finishing some college. Surprisingly, the number of individuals the youth said they had in their network was not a key factor. What mattered was the enduring quality of the relationships – people that stuck with them, through thick and thin, over a period of time.
Child Mental Health Resources in Spanish
December 1, 2023
Mental Health America has updated its resource Para Los Padres y Los Jovenes, which includes a variety of information and tip sheets.