Health Careers Futures Board Builds Momentum for Teen Mental Health Services

Inspired by Australia’s headspace centres, a national network of youth mental health centers, JHF began investing in localized, stigma-free spaces for teens, resulting in the development and support of UpStreet, The Beacon, and other emerging models in the Pittsburgh region.

Staff from the Persad Center, a national leader in LGBTQ+ mental health care, shared how their services and business model has evolved over the decades, seeking to provide a roadmap for other community-based organizations to leverage various funding streams to support the growth of available on-site mental health services. Founded in 1972 as one of the country’s first licensed LGBTQ+ counseling centers, Persad has been at the forefront of community mental health for decades, now offering a wide range of therapy, psychiatric care, and peer support groups. With a diversified funding model, Persad serves 460–500 behavioral health clients weekly and continues to expand whole-person care programs, including Phoenix Fitness, Pennsylvania’s first nonprofit trans gym.

The meeting’s panel discussion, moderated by JHF Executive Vice President Danny Rosen, PhD, MSW, featured Jordan Golin of Jewish Family & Community Services (UpStreet), Kaitlin Hans-Greco of The Friendship Circle’s The Beacon, and Kara Petrosky of Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. The discussion provided insights into strategies for providing drop-in therapy, school-based care, telehealth, and family engagement while underscoring common challenges: sustainability, reliance on short-term funding, and workforce shortages. Panelists also reflected on what they could adopt from Persad’s model, including more intentional use of reimbursable services and diversified funding portfolios.

JHF staff presented the Foundation’s strategy to scale and sustain teen safe spaces statewide. Highlights include leveraging the PA Youth Advocacy Network, PA Teen Mental Health Coalition, and Teen Mental Health Collaborative to help community-based organizations and existing teen safe spaces demonstrate their community impact and advocate for state funding for mental health and out-of-school programs.

The HCF Board was enthusiastic about the ambitious goals but recognized the myriad of challenges facing the work of expanding teen safe spaces in the current landscape. Board members were especially pointed in wanting to see more healthcare dollars ultimately go towards supporting and paying for the kinds of services offered by teen safe spaces and related teen mental health services at community-based organizations.