Children & Youth Mental Health

*If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911*

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Washington teens 15-19 years old. Per 2021 Healthy Youth Survey data, 37% of Cowlitz County 8th graders felt so sad or hopeless for two weeks or more that they stopped doing their usual activities and 14% reported making a suicide plan in the past year.

The good news is that teens are resilient and feeling connected to school and family helps support their mental health. Building strong bonds and relationships with adults and friends at school, at home, and in the community provides youth with a sense of connectedness. This feeling of connectedness is important and can protect adolescents from poor mental health, and other risks like drug use and violence.

Positive Experiences + Positive Relationships + Positive Environments = Positive Youth Development (PYD)

PYD is an intentional, prosocial approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances young people’s strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths.

Cowlitz County has many opportunities for youth that can help foster PYD. Many local school districts, extracurricular programs, community agencies, and churches host programs for youth that can help youth identify their strengths, make meaningful connections, and help foster healthy development.

Local Mental Health Resources

Ascent Youth Center	Ascent Youth Activity Center provides a safe atmosphere for teens to explore new interests and engage in the community. Provides an access point for pro-social activities in addition to providing emotional and behavioral health services.
Columbia Wellness	Adult, child, and family services available.
Community Integrated Health Services	CIHS' mission is to assist individuals with mental health and/or substance abuse disorders to obtain necessary, skills, counseling, medication management, and support services to improve their quality of life and level of functioning.
Cowlitz Indian Tribal Mental Health	Cowlitz Tribal Mental Health seeks to help individuals discover their personal strengths and the community support systems that will guide their journey to emotional stability.
Hello Life	The mission of Hello Life Eating Disorder Recovery Services is to provide an equitable, free, accessible and dignified pathway to eating disorder recovery and positive body image to all individuals in Southwest Washington.
For additional information on local behavioral health agencies, visit the Washington State Directory here.

Washington Helplines

National Helplines

Crisis Text Line	The Crisis Text Line offers 24/7 emotional support and information support to teens in any type of crisis, including suicide, by trained volunteers via texting. You can text with a trained specialist 24 hours a day.
Teen Line	The teen line offers peer support by teens for teens through a hotline (6–10 p.m.), a text-line (5:30–9:30 p.m.), a message board, and email. It also provides a blog, information, and resources.
Your Life Your Voice	This site offers four ways to get help – youth can talk counselors 24/7, they can chat Monday – Friday from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., text from 4–1 a.m. (CST), or send an email. There are tips on coping skills, dealing with grief, and many other important topics, a bulletin board, and videos.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline	If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.

Resources for Youth to Engage in the community

Ascent Youth Center	Ascent Youth Activity Center provides a safe atmosphere for teens to explore new interests and engage in the community. Provides an access point for pro-social activities in addition to providing emotional and behavioral health services.
Cowlitz County 4-H Youth Program	4-H teaches life skills that lead young people to become self-directing, positive, contributing members of our society. WSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.
For the Children: Royal Family KIDS – Cowlitz County	Specifically for youth who are or have been involved in the foster care system. Provide opportunities for youth to overcome challenges and be successful and healthy members of the community.
Janus Youth Programs of Cowlitz County	Janus Youth Programs has provided a second chance for at-risk youth with few resources, and no place to turn for help.
Longview Parks and Recreation	Opportunities for youth to try new activities.
Youth and Family Link	Offers a variety of programs for youth and families including teen prevention programs and teen mentoring.
In addition to the above resources, many school districts also have opportunities to join groups, clubs, and teams – reach out to your school district to learn more about opportunities they have available!

ImHurting Crisis Chat	ImHurting Crisis Chat is a service offered through Volunteers of America Western Washington. You can call their crisis line or chat online 24/7.
TeenLink	The Teen Link help line offers phone (6–10 p.m.) and chat (6– 9:30 p.m.) support by trained youth volunteers. Youth call for all types of reasons. At Teen Link, no problem is too big or too small.