There are almost 400,000 youth in foster care in the U.S., with California being a leading state. Recent Federal legislation, designed to help families provide safe and stable homes for their children through culturally appropriate services, has contributed to the declining number of youth in care. While that number has decreased recently, data shows increased mental health challenges for youth, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.

Children and caregivers benefit from prioritizing mental health. Normalizing the discussion of mental health builds its importance and reduces the stigma associated with it. Most importantly, it gives space for youth to reach their full potential, grow, and learn how to construct everyday coping skills and support them in healing from childhood trauma.

Coping skills are how you handle anger, stress, depression, anxiety, and fears.

A good coping skill helps you feel better in the moment and strengthens the opportunity to heal and move out of conflict.

A poor coping skill might feel good at the moment, but in the long run, it harms yourself or others.

Good coping skills are things like: deep breathing, going for a walk, talking to a friend, journaling, exercising, taking some time to reset, getting good rest, or making a healthy meal.

Poor coping skills are things like: name calling, negative self-talk, hurting yourself or others, yelling, isolating, spreading rumors, or doing something dangerous.

We continue our commitment as individuals and community to raising awareness of mental health issues, especially those affecting children in foster care. Let’s work together to help youth learn to prioritize mental health!

Written by Michelle Young, SSYAF Permanency Specialist 

References:

• Child Welfare Information Gateway National Foster Care Month (2023) U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau.
• California Department of Social Services, California Alliance of Caregivers (2023).