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Group Information
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| Group Title: | |
| Related Topics: | |
| Overview & Vision: |
The community-wide initiative is aiming to improve access to effective services from crisis to stabilization for adolescents experiencing a mental health crisis throughout Pennsylvania. |
| Leaders: |
Robert Ferguson, Carol Frazer, Deborah Murdoch, Megan Shively
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| Rationale: |
Nationally, 21% of 13 to 18 year olds experience a seriously debilitating mental disorder in their lifetime, and 46% experience a mental disorder in their lifetime. Unfortunately, thoughts of suicide are also prevalent and increasing among adolescents. It is now the second leading cause of death among people aged 10-24 and 15-24. In Pennsylvania, the most recent available data suggest that the adolescent behavioral health system is in need of immediate repair.
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| Goals and Objectives: |
-Improve timely identification of adolescents experiencing a behavioral health crisis
-Increase the speed with which adolescents in crisis receive safe, supportive care -Provide education to adolescents, caregivers and communities about where to turn in crisis -Improve the supports needed to prevent or better cope with the next crisis |
| Results to Date: |
In 2016, the Jewish Healthcare Foundation embarked on an exploratory research phase to identify strategies to improve access to and accountability for effective behavioral health services for adolescents in Allegheny County experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. This exploratory phase included advisory groups, interviews of key informants, focus groups, story submissions from families, analyses of hospital admission data, observations of the current behavioral health crisis services in Allegheny County and analyses of crisis service and psychiatric ER utilization data. In response to the findings, the Adolescent Behavioral Health Initiative will launch three action strategies (advocacy, education and demonstration) in 2018.
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| Date: | |