Addressing Youth Mental Health Matters

Join United Voices for Children for a virtual conversation on youth mental health advocacy. Learn how to talk with children and youth and gain expert guidance from Children’s Advocates for Change, Rosecrance, and NAMI.

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Supporting Youth Mental Health & Advocacy

During our March 30 event, United Voices for Children focuses on youth mental health advocacy—teaching how to talk with children and youth and how to be better advocates in your communities. We understand the challenges children and youth face today. This event equips participants with practical knowledge, tools, and resources to make a real difference.

Learn how data and policy shape child well-being—and how to advocate effectively.

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View 2025 Data Book
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Comprehensive mental health and substance use treatment supporting youth and families.

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The nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization providing education, advocacy, and support.

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Program Details

UVC emphasizes that every person is an advocate—“My children. Your children. Our children.” Participants will:

Learn facts from the Data Book about issues affecting children and youth, and hear testimonies.
Meet Tina Samuel, Chief of Staff for Rep Kevin Olickal, for instructions on effective advocacy.
Hear from Nichole Davidson, Rosecrance therapist, for ways to talk with children about mental health.
Receive information and resources for greater advocacy.

This training welcomes community workers, agency professionals, mental health professionals, NIC United Women in Faith, United Methodist Church laity and clergy, youth leaders, school administrators, teachers, and all who care about child well-being.

Additional Resources

🔗 Beacon Illinois — Mental health and substance use resources for children, youth, and families.

📄 Bridging the Broadband Health Gap Report — Report by Partnership for a Connected Illinois. The Benton Institute and the Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation issued this report outlining how Internet access is a “Super” Social Determinant of Health.

💚 Kids Above All – Counseling Solutions — Expanding counseling services for Medicaid, sliding scale, and private pay. This resource provides additional therapy support and can be highlighted in the chat during the event.
📄 Download Counseling Solutions PDF

Be Part of the Movement for Youth Mental Health

Together, we can better understand, support, and advocate for children and youth in our communities. Stay connected and take action today.

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Preparing For a Meeting With an Elected Official

Follow the steps below when preparing for a meeting with an elected official

Legislative Factsheet

Use the following diagram to create a legislative factsheet

Beacon

BEACON gives you information about behavioral health services focused on your child’s needs. Learn which community-based resources are available near you and state-funded programs your child may be eligible for. Listed services include community mental health centers and other programs. To find individual mental health therapists and counselors, please contact your insurance provider or managed care organization to find providers in your insurance network.

https://beacon.illinois.gov/

Mental Health

Illinois legislation passed in 2024, calls for creating a mechanism for determining the capacity and readiness of schools to implement universal mental health screening. A 2022 survey of Illinois children ages 3-17 years old documents the strong need for assistance overall with parents and guardians indicating 21% of the children had a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral problem. View Fact Sheet SB726 and download below.

Fact-Sheet-SB726-Mental-Health-Call-to-Action Download