Blog

Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Children’s Institute and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania (BGCWPA) has launched a transformative program to provide mental health counseling services and support for at-risk teens across five Allegheny County locations.

In the wake of the pandemic’s social disconnection and the increasing number of teens affected by community violence, the launch of the program comes at a critical time. According to a report by Crisis Text Line and Common Good Labs, depression among 12- to 17-year-olds has increased 144% since 2010 and suicide by 58%.

“As a pediatrician and the CEO of The Children’s Institute, I’ve seen firsthand how critical it is to support the behavioral health of our youth,” said Dr. Johanna Vidal-Phelan, president and CEO of The Children’s Institute. “Programs like this are more than services — they’re lifelines for teens navigating complex emotional and developmental challenges. By investing in their mental well-being today, we’re building a stronger, healthier future for our entire community.”

“Our new program will enable at-risk teens to think more about their mental health and feel comfortable talking to adults without a fear of judgment or criticism,” said Bethany Douglas, vice-president for Children and Family Services at The Children’s Institute. “Through the program, we cannot only improve skills and make teens more aware of support and available crisis interventions, but we can also identify teens who could benefit from other levels of behavioral health support or psychiatric services.”

“The mental health and wellbeing of our teens must be a shared responsibility. Through our partnership with The Children’s Institute, we are breaking down barriers to care and creating safe, familiar spaces where young people can open up, build resilience, and access the support they deserve,” said Kara Petrosky, Vice President of Programs, BGCWPA. "Together, we are helping teens navigate challenges, strengthen coping skills and envision a future filled with hope and possibility.”

A three-year grant awarded to BGCWPA from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency Violence Intervention and Prevention (PCCD) provides the necessary funding to deliver the program’s services. Part of the PCCD’s Great Futures Violence Prevention Program, the grant is expected to serve over 100 teens annually from communities that are most at risk for violence.

“As a kid growing up in McKeesport, I went to my local Boys & Girls Club every day after school, and the mentoring and support I received there shaped me and helped put me on the path to where I am today,” said Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, who also serves as chair of PCCD. “That’s why the Shapiro-Davis Administration fought so hard for new state funding for afterschool programs and increased resources for violence prevention programs that help young Pennsylvanians heal from their trauma, envision a brighter future and get the skills they need to achieve their dreams. I know this initiative by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania will be incredibly impactful.”

The Children’s Institute staff have been embedded in BGCWPA since September, with frontline staff working at clubhouses four days per week to provide group and one-on-one mental health education as needed. Therapists first complete a baseline survey with teens and will complete a follow-up in December.

“We will be meeting teens where they are, providing counseling services, mentoring, career development and referrals right at the Boys and Girls Club clubhouses,” added Douglas. “In many communities, stigma around therapy and counseling remains a barrier, but by offering these services within Boys and Girls Club teen centers and alongside staff who teens view as trusted mentors, youth are more likely to feel comfortable and confident engaging in support.”

BGCWPA will also conduct pre- and post-conduct surveys, as well as listening sessions to gauge impact and to measure the success of the program.