Jan 11, 2021 | Report/Brief | Isha Weerasinghe

Core Principles to Reframe Mental and Behavioral Health Policy

CLASP's mental health work advances systems and policy change with an explicit focus on how a person's race and ethnicity affects how they interact with the health system. Without a direct understanding of how mental health and wellbeing are seen by those who are living in poverty, we cannot create effective policy solutions.

Dec 10, 2020 | Report/Brief | Isha Weerasinghe

PATH and MOMD: Lessons for Mental Health Systems and Policy Change

Jul 29, 2020 | Blog Post | Nia West-Bey

Unlocking Transformation and Healing: Policy Options for Accessible Youth and Young Adult Mental Health Care

Jul 23, 2020 | Event | CLASP

Protest, Movement Building, and Mental Health: A Conversation with Young Leaders

Low-income youth are disproportionately exposed to structural disadvantage and trauma with lasting implications for their mental health. In many cases, systemic barriers prevent them from accessing formal behavioral health services. As a result, youth frequently rely on informal support systems as they work to complete education and career pathways that lead to economic security. Together with youth advocates, mental health experts, and community leaders, CLASP advocates for policy reform and community innovations that reduce the prevalence of adverse experiences, increase access to needed behavioral health supports, and move young people towards wellbeing.

Featured Expert:

Nia West-Bey

Senior Policy Analyst, Youth

Young Adult Behavioral Health

New from CLASP

January 11, 2021 | Blog Post | Children, Youth & Families

A Mental and Behavioral Health Roadmap for Policymakers

December 7, 2020 | Press Release | Health and Mental Health

Biden’s Health Team Signals Commitment to Access, Equity

October 22, 2020 | Press Release | Youth and Young Adults

From Dire to Catastrophic—How the Pandemic Has Worsened the Well-being of Young People

October 14, 2020 | Blog Post | Maternal Mental Health

How state Medicaid agencies can improve maternal mental health and mortality

October 2, 2020 | Press Release | Federal Spending Priorities

House Passes Urgently Needed COVID-19 Relief Bill Addressing Economic and Health Crises

Young Adults Grapple with Trauma

Young adults living in poverty experience trauma and structural disadvantage that has lifelong consequences. Moreover, they struggle to access formal mental health supports. They have to rely on peer networks and community-based programs to cope.

"Everybody Got Their Go Throughs": A Report on Young Adults' Mental Health Challenges