POSITIVE IMPACT: Pro Deo offers a Model of Excellence for Teen Wellness
The mental health crisis in young adults is real, and the emergency continues to grow in Lee's Summit, through Jackson County, and across the nation.
“Every child’s path to adulthood – reaching developmental and emotional milestones, learning healthy social skills, and dealing with problems – is different and difficult... There’s no map, and the road is never straight... the challenges today’s generation of young people face are unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate. And the effect these challenges have had on their mental health is devastating.”
~Vivek H. Murthy, M.D.U.S. Surgeon General
At Pro Deo Youth Center, we welcome all students through our doors and lift them on their darkest days and celebrate with them on their brightest days.
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52% of Pro Deo teens have self disclosed mental health concerns
The teens Pro Deo serve and their families also self-disclosed:
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22% of the teens we serve suffer from anxiety
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15% depression
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7% autism
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34% ADHD
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19% listed other mental health disorders, including but not limited to ODD, sensory processing, bipolar and RAD
JOURNEY TOGETHER FOR WELLNESS
Pro Deo is built on fun, engaging activities for youth. Activities bring students in the door and help them build relationships.
THE PRO DEO WELLNESS MODEL
Pro Deo is poised to expand programs, serve more youth, and create a model that can be duplicated in other communities.
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The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Children’s Hospital Association have joined together to declare a National State of Emergency in Children’s Mental Health.
In a joint statement they mentioned in part:
“As health professionals dedicated to the care of children and adolescents, we have witnessed soaring rates of mental health challenges among children, adolescents, and their families over the course of the COVID -19 pandemic, exacerbating the situation that existed prior to the pandemic.”
These organizations believe the mental and behavioral health of students is now a necessary focus of education. Research suggests that each day, many students go to school with mental health concerns that threaten their well-being and educational performance. School-connected mental health services can improve access to care, allow for early identification and treatment of mental health concerns, and are linked to improved mental health outcomes, which may reduce absenteeism.
Through a purpose-built space, Pro Deo can expand its offerings to include pre-vocational programs and programs to serve individuals having special needs. Pro Deo will be able to serve teens in a space they feel was made specifically to meet their needs, encouraging others to join them.
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