Incidences of mental health conditions, substance use disorders, and addiction issues in youth can vary by geography — sometimes significantly. While young people’s well-being is a national issue, each state can play a role in strengthening mental health services and supports.

This report is specifically created for state leaders — governors, agency heads, and lawmakers, who are in prime positions to make the right state connections to support young people and their families in finding solutions.

The resource explores five key pillars of youth mental health and includes:

• Checklists for state leadership to easily define core youth mental health priorities for each pillar
• Examples of states that are enacting effective policies, programs, and plans in each pillar