{"id":147991,"date":"2026-03-09T21:37:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T01:37:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=147991"},"modified":"2026-03-09T21:37:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T01:37:18","slug":"lehigh-valley-youth-families-and-community-leaders-call-for-stronger-mental-health-supports-for-children","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevalleyledger.com\/?p=147991","title":{"rendered":"LEHIGH VALLEY YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS CALL FOR STRONGER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORTS FOR CHILDREN"},"content":{"rendered":"

Easton, PA <\/em>\u2013 3\/4\/26 \u2013 <\/strong>Youth, families, educators, and community leaders from across the Lehigh Valley gathered at Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 for a Strong Minds, Bright Futures Community Dialogue on Youth Mental Health, part of a statewide listening tour designed to hear directly from communities about the barriers children and families face and the solutions they want to see.<\/p>\n

The event brought together nearly 50 participants, including parents, students, mental health professionals, school staff, and local leaders, for an evening of stories, discussion, and shared problem-solving focused on how to better support children before challenges become crises.<\/p>\n

Jim McDonald, Director of Behavioral Health at Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, shared new data highlighting the urgency of the issue.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe results are concerning. They’re alarming\u2026 We\u2019re seeing a growing mental health needs for kids and teens,\u201d said McDonald. \u201cAnxiety, depression, other challenges are affecting more and more young people, and far too often accessing support is complicated, inconsistent, or delayed.\u201d<\/p>\n

McDonald also shared regional data from the Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) that underscores the urgency of the issue. Across IU 20\u2019s region, 23% of students described their mental health in the last month as \u201cnot good,\u201d 16% reported seriously considering suicide in the past year, and 5% reported attempting suicide.<\/p>\n

Throughout the evening, speakers described the many barriers that still stand between young people and the support they need, including long waitlists, insurance problems, transportation barriers, stigma, school bullying, and a shortage of providers.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung people today encounter real barriers when they need support,\u201d said Beth Peters, therapist and community advocate. \u201cThere\u2019s long wait lists\u2026 there\u2019s so many insurance limitations\u2026 there\u2019s transportation challenges\u2026 there\u2019s also a shortage of providers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peters also warned that when children do not get help early, the consequences can be serious. \u201cWhat could have been early support was now a crisis response,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Several youth speakers shared personal experiences about struggling in silence, dealing with bullying, and trying to \ufb01nd support in school and at home. Their stories<\/p>\n

highlighted both the pain many young people carry and the life-changing impact of being heard and supported.<\/p>\n

Aixa Grave, a student from East Stroudsburg High School North and president of her school\u2019s Aevidum club, spoke about the importance of making sure students know where to turn for help. \u201cI want people to know that it\u2019s okay to ask for help and to get the help that you need,\u201d Grave said. \u201cI want people to know that there are resources, even if it doesn\u2019t seem like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another youth speaker, Lydia Peters, spoke about how even a small act of care from an adult can make a difference. \u201cHow are you doing?\u201d she said. \u201cThat simple statement can change the trajectory of somebody\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

The role of peer support and youth leadership also emerged as a major theme. Mary Pritchard, Director of Outreach for Aevidum, emphasized that students are often the \ufb01rst to notice when someone is struggling. \u201cStudents know before anyone else if a peer is struggling,\u201d Prichard said. \u201cIf they feel safe enough to share with each other and safe enough to say, \u2018Hey, I think you need to talk to somebody,\u2019 then that<\/p>\n

help-seeking behavior happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

Parents also described how dif\ufb01cult it can be to navigate disconnected systems while trying to get help for their children. Joanna Perez, a parent and former educator, shared her family\u2019s experience seeking support for her son. \u201cWe did not need punishment. We needed earlier intervention. We needed coordinated support,\u201d Perez said. \u201cWhat is actually happening is that we are drowning in systems that do not talk to each other.\u201d<\/p>\n

In small-group discussions following the speakers, participants identi\ufb01ed the barriers they continue to see across the region and the solutions they believe are needed most. Key themes included expanding support in schools and community settings, increasing awareness of programs that already exist, improving communication between schools, providers, and families, reducing stigma, supporting parents, strengthening the workforce, and investing in prevention so children can get help earlier.<\/p>\n

Participants also stressed that schools need more staff training and clearer pathways to support students experiencing bullying, trauma, school avoidance, or other signs of distress. Families and providers alike emphasized that young people need systems that respond earlier, work better together, and are easier to access.<\/p>\n

Across sectors, attendees shared a strong commitment to continuing this work in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. The conversation made clear that improving children\u2019s mental health will require not only compassion and awareness, but also sustained advocacy, stronger coordination, and long-term public investment.<\/p>\n

WHAT: <\/strong>Strong Minds, Bright Futures \u2013 Lehigh Valley County Community Dialogue on Youth Mental Health<\/p>\n

WHEN: <\/strong>Wednesday, March 4, 2026 | 5:00\u20137:00 PM<\/p>\n

WHERE: <\/strong>Colonial Intermediate Unit 20, 6 Danforth Drive, Easton, PA 18045<\/p>\n

WHO ATTENDED:<\/h3>\n