Human Development
Mental Health
Mental health is central to every individual’s well-being, and is influenced by social and economic factors in people’s lives. At AIR, we adopt a public health approach, working with many types of organizations to help strengthen their capacity to deliver programs that promote positive mental health, implement strategies for early identification, and provide interventions to treat disorders, mitigating later harm.
Studies indicate that one in five children and adolescents (20 percent) may have a diagnosable mental health disorder. Many youth with mental health disorders develop co-occurring substance abuse issues. An estimated two-thirds of all young people with mental health problems are not getting the help they need.
AIR provides training and technical assistance to mental health, substance abuse, education, juvenile justice, child welfare and other agencies at state and local levels, fostering collaboration among these systems, especially for those with serious mental illness. We ensure that families and young people share their experiences to shape services and supports for all.
