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Providence St. Mary launches 'Help is Here' campaign to connect High Desert youth to mental health services

Daily Press - 5/23/2021

May 23—Providence St. Mary Medical Center has launched a new initiative designed to connect youth with local mental health services, as well as to "break the stigma surrounding mental illness," officials announced Tuesday.

The "Help is Here" campaign — which began in March — will feature feedback from High Desert youth with ads, videos, interviews and youth-led forums on mental health, according to a Providence statement.

"By understanding what students and families are requesting help for, we can customize our resources and engage students in their own voice," said Kevin Mahany, director of community health investment for Providence St. Mary.

Officials said the campaign is aimed at closing the gap between "those receiving help and those who still need it" with the "express goal" of preventing suicides in the region.

Suicide is the second-leading causing of death in the U.S. for persons aged 15 to 19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The "Help is Here" campaign is currently working with several agencies including the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health and the Hesperia Unified School District that Providence officials said will offer "a message that will truly resonate across the region."

It has also partnered with Care Solace, a "24/7 therapy referral service that follows up with students to see how successful therapy has been," Providence officials said.

"We're seeing local schools organize their students into advocates more," Mahany said. "It's exciting to have students flex their voice as to what they want and need in today's world."

For more information about the program, call the project lead, Paola Baker, at 760-265-3997 or email anapao913@gmail.com.

Daily Press reporter Martin Estacio may be reached at 760-955-5358 or MEstacio@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_mestacio.

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