Strong Minds, Bright Futures: A Partnership For Child Mental Wellbeing

07/03/2025

This week, we spotlight NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by mental illness through education, advocacy, and support.

For over 40 years, NAMI Keystone has been working to reduce stigma, educate communities, and empower individuals to seek the support they deserve.

Key Focus Areas:
-Education & Awareness: Providing programs to help families understand mental health and promote prevention.
-Advocacy: Fighting for policies that improve mental health services at all levels.
-Support Services: Offering peer-led programs and support groups for individuals and families.
Stigma Reduction: Promoting open conversations to build more supportive communities.

We are proud to partner with NAMI Keystone to continue advancing mental health and advocacy across Pennsylvania.

07/01/2025

Yesterday, families and advocates gathered at Philadelphia City Hall to rally against proposed Medicaid cuts that could devastate millions of families, including those who rely on the program for essential health services like mental health care and addiction recovery.

Kate Fox, Associate Director of Mental Health Policy at Children First, joined the fight to protect Medicaid benefits, “We are not just fighting for a program. We are not just fighting for health insurance. We are fighting for our babies and their futures.”

Khadijah Phillips, a mother of twins with autism, spoke out about how losing access to Medicaid would disrupt her children’s therapies and medications. “I can't imagine what would happen to them if they don't have access to the therapies they need,” she said.

Earlier today the Senate has passed the bill with a 50-50 vote, with the Vice President casting the tie-breaking vote. Now, the bill goes back to the House.

Children First

Advocates and families gathered at Philadelphia's City Hall to protest possible cuts to Medicaid.

06/27/2025

06/27/2025

This Men’s Health Month, we’re addressing a critical issue: the mental health of young men. Too often, young men lack a support system to help them navigate life’s challenges. The pressure to stay silent or "tough it out" prevents many from seeking the help they need.

We can change this by having more mental health supports in schools, where young men spend half their waking hours.

Through early intervention and ongoing support, we can ensure they have the tools deal with stress, build resilience, and develop healthy connections with their families and peers.

Mental health shouldn’t be an afterthought. It should be woven into the fabric of young men’s lives from the start.

Children First

06/26/2025

As Men’s Health Month comes to an end, let’s take a moment to focus on the mental health of young men in Pennsylvania. Too often, young men are taught to suppress their emotions and avoid seeking help. This leads to many struggling in silence.

Mental health services need to be accessible. Preventative care strengthens family connections and can meet young men where they are, at school. Schools should be central to providing support that empowers young men to talk about what they're going through and build healthy habits early on.

By offering mental health services early and consistently, we can break the stigma and create a future where young men grow into healthy adults.

Children First

06/25/2025

This week, we spotlight the Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing mental health and promoting well-being through strategic investments in mental health services and innovative practices.

2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Scattergood Foundation’s work, and over the past two decades, they have continuously focused on transforming mental health systems and fostering a more supportive, inclusive approach to care.

Key Focus Areas:

-Mental Health Innovation: The Scattergood Foundation has been at the forefront of promoting new strategies and solutions to improve mental health services and outcomes.

-Policy & Systems Change: They advocate for policy reforms that prioritize mental health funding and resources for vulnerable populations, ensuring equity in care.

-Community Engagement: Engaging with stakeholders, including policymakers, advocates, and community organizations, to drive collective action for mental health reform.

-Youth & Family Support: The Foundation works to empower youth and families through targeted mental health services and resources, helping them build resilience and access the care they need.

"We unite a community with a common goal:
shift the paradigm and practice for behavioral health, and recognize the unique spark and basic dignity in every human."

We are proud to partner with the Scattergood Foundation to continue working toward a healthier future for all children and families in Pennsylvania.

06/18/2025

The mental health crisis for mothers is real, and recent research shows just how urgent it is.

A recent NY Times study highlights a sharp rise in mothers reporting poor mental health. 1 in 12 now rate their mental health as fair or poor, with single mothers, those on Medicaid, and uninsured mothers being especially affected.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/well/family/maternal-mental-health-study.html

This new research reinforces the need for reforms that remove barriers to mental health services and ensure that no family is left behind.

Mental health support plays a critical role for both mothers and children. Children don't take themselves to the doctor and their health is directly connected with the health of their mother. We needs to provide preventative mental health services jointly to children and caregivers, because when mothers thrive, families thrive.

Children First

06/12/2025

Last week, we had the privilege of supporting students from Abington, Springfield Township, Pottstown, Perkiomen Valley, Souderton, Upper Merion, Lower Moreland, and Colonial school districts as they participated in the Voices for Education program in Harrisburg. The program, organized by Children First and the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, trains students to amplify their voices and advocate for the support they need.

Mental health was a top priority during their meetings with legislators, where they discussed the importance of consistent mental health services in schools and called for sustainable investments to support youth mental health. These students are leaders in the fight for the mental health services they deserve.

Legislators We Met With: Rep. Joe Webster, Rep. Napoleon Nelson, PA State Rep. Craig Staats, PA State Rep. Donna Scheuren, PA State Rep. Milou Mackenzie, Rep. Mary Jo Daley, Rep. Matt Bradford, Rep. Joe Ciresi, Rep. Tim Briggs, Rep. Scott Conklin, Senator Jarrett Coleman, Senator Maria Collett, Senator Tracy Pennycuick
Senator Art Haywood, Senator Amanda Cappelletti

Together, we’re building a brighter future for youth mental health across Pennsylvania.

06/12/2025

This week, we spotlight Aevidum, a non-profit organization empowering youth and promoting mental health and advocacy in schools nationwide.

Aevidum is on a mission to end the silence around mental health and create supportive school cultures. Their "I’ve got your back" message encourages students to advocate for mental health awareness and support each other.

Key Focus Areas:
-Youth Advocacy: Training student leaders to raise awareness about mental health and su***de prevention.
-Mental Health Awareness: Through Friend to Friend peer support and curriculum development.
-Community & School Integration: Transforming school cultures with campaigns like Hands Across The School and Mind The Boys.

We’re proud to partner with Aevidum to advocate for youth mental health and support students in PA schools.

06/06/2025

Last week, we attended a symposium in Philadelphia titled "Innovating for Infants and Toddlers: A Vision for Practice, Payment & Policy in Health and Social Systems."

It was an inspiring event organized by our Strong Minds, Bright Future's partner, CHOP PolicyLab. The symposium brought together thought leaders, policymakers, and advocates to explore innovative solutions for early childhood health and mental health.

We were especially honored to hear from the Secretary of Human Services Val Arkoosh, whose keynote address highlighted the urgent need for Medicaid reforms and integrated healthcare to better support youth and families.

It was a day filled with meaningful conversations, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate with the PolicyLab and other partners to create lasting change for youth mental health across Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Children First

06/06/2025

This week, we spotlight the PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) for their innovative work in improving youth mental health across Pennsylvania.

The PolicyLab translates research into actionable policy to improve children’s health outcomes. Their focus on adolescent health, behavioral health, and health equity strives to ensure access to mental health services for every child.

"At PolicyLab, our experience caring for children and families informs our 'evidence to action' approach to improving children's health."

We’re proud to partner with CHOP PolicyLab to connect research, policy, and people drive youth mental health reform across Pennsylvania.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Children First

05/29/2025

This week, we spotlight our partner, Jewish Healthcare Foundation (JHF)!

JHF is dedicated to improving youth mental health across Pennsylvania by empowering teens and youth-serving organizations to advocate for mental health reforms and create safe, inclusive environments in schools and communities.

Key Focus Areas:

-Youth Advocacy: JHF’s PA Youth Advocacy Network connects student leaders to advocate for mental health services and raise awareness.
-Mental Health Awareness: Through the PA Teen Mental Health Coalition, JHF advocates for sustainable mental health services.
-Community Integration: The Teen Mental Health Collaborative of Allegheny County supports teens through peer support, expressive arts, and leadership development.

JHF’s mission aligns with SMBF’s goal to ensure access to mental health care for all children and families in Pennsylvania. We’re proud to partner with JHF to improve youth mental health across the state.

Jewish Healthcare Foundation
Children First