Wyoming is Listening: WDH Wants to Expand Mental Health Care
The state of Wyoming is responding to communities requesting more access to mental health care, especially for youth.
As the rate of suicide for 15-19-year-olds is more than double in Wyoming than in any other state for that age group, the Wyoming Department of Health is seeking feedback on how to best serve Wyoming youths’ mental health needs.
“We know there have been increasing discussions about mental health issues affecting our younger residents in Wyoming the last few years,” said Megan Selheim, Youth and Young Adult Health Program manager with WDH. “We want to know how we might improve access to care and hope to hear directly from families and youth about their experiences and thoughts.”
Two surveys are available: one for parents and guardians, and the other for youth and young adults. Surveys can be found here. They will take about 10 minutes to complete.
Any Wyoming resident who is a parent or guardian of a child aged 0-21 is eligible to complete the family survey. Any Wyoming resident who is an adolescent or young adult aged 11-21 is eligible to complete the adolescent survey. A Wyoming person up to age 21 who is also a parent or guardian of a child is eligible to complete both surveys.
The surveys are anonymous, and aggregate data will be used to help improve access to mental health care.
“We appreciate everyone who takes the time to complete the survey, as well as anyone who shares the survey with friends, colleagues, and people in the targeted age group. We need timely responses from across the state to help ensure we have a solid understanding of what’s needed to strengthen mental health care access for kids in Wyoming,” Selheim said.
5 Kid-Friendly Hikes Near Laramie
More From Laramie Live
