Youth Mental Health Collaborative
The Youth Mental Health Collaborative is focused on youth mental health access. The group has been convened by Greater Mankato Area United Way since November 2021 and consists of representatives from healthcare, mental health providers, public health, higher education, k-12 schools and nonprofits. Discussion has focused on the lack of mental health providers, high amount of need, existing resources and how more collaboration might take place. Additionally, it was recognized that the school system is doing a lot of triaging to connect students with resources and that structure could use support. The group collaboratively identified the need for a Youth Mental Health Navigator which was implemented in Mankato Area Public schools to connect students to mental health services in the community. The group meets quarterly to share updates and identify ways to collaborate.