Summary of the project

In 2016, JHF launched the Adolescent Behavioral Health Initiative (ABHI) to improve access to effective services from crisis to stabilization among adolescents experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis in Allegheny County. This initiative is supported by JHF, the Staunton Farm Foundation, and The Pittsburgh Foundation.

In 2017, JHF partnered with a diverse group of community stakeholders on an exploratory research phase to better understand the context of the adolescent behavioral health system in Allegheny County. We heard from mental health experts, researchers, and activists—both as members of an Advisory group and individual interviews. We heard from young adults who as teens experienced a behavioral health crisis, and family members of teens with behavioral health conditions through focus groups and solicited stories. Finally, we observed and experienced adolescent crisis services first hand through on-site observations at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic’s Diagnostic Evaluation Center (DEC), and at re:Solve Crisis Network’s phone room, walk-in center, and mobile crisis services.

The findings from this investigation converged around specific barriers that prevent too many adolescents experiencing a behavioral health crisis – and their families – from getting support and treatment rapidly. In 2018, the ABHI will take action to address many identified barriers through the implementation of the following three community strategies:

1.     A statewide effort to engage media, providers, parents, and community stakeholders         to rally around an urgent call to advocate for additional resources for teen behavioral           health and crisis services in Pennsylvania. 
2.    A county-wide awareness campaign to help teens, their friends, families and teachers         know when and how to get help in a crisis.
3.    A work-force demonstration that addresses wait times for crisis care, and helps bridge        the gap from crisis services to continuing services.

The ABHI will spend the remainder of 2018 working to implement these strategies with its community partners.