In May 2024, the Atrómitos Way Podcast ran a dedicated segment about the youth mental health crisis. In “Coastal Horizons: Tackling the Youth Mental Health Crisis,” guests Ryan Estes, Chief Operating Officer, and Kristina Clemmons, Program Director of North Carolina-based Coastal Horizons, spoke about how the COVID-19 pandemic cast a long shadow over the emotional well-being of children and adolescents and amplified existing challenges in our healthcare and education systems. Kids and teens suffering from heightened anxiety during the pandemic increased their reliance on emergency departments as access points to mental health services, further escalating our nation’s mental health crisis to alarming levels.

The Crisis in Perspective

According to Ryan and Kristina, children’s mental health challenges often stem from a lack of timely intervention. Like a broken bone left untreated, unaddressed psychological conditions become harder to manage over time, leading to entrenched behaviors and compounded struggles. The two-year pandemic magnified these issues, stripping away daily routines and social supports, leaving many young people grappling with uncertainty and instability. In 2024, the American Psychological Association (APA) reported:

• A 2022 survey found that 90 percent of the public deemed there was a mental health crisis in the United States, with anxiety cited as a large contributor (Kaiser Family Foundation and CNN).
• Among survey respondents, 80 percent found cost a significant barrier to accessing mental health services, and 60 percent said shame and stigma prevented them from seeking care.
• During the survey period, the APA found that 60 percent of psychologists reported no openings for new patients.

While the lack of accessible mental/emotional health services negatively impacts adults, it is even more difficult for developing children and adolescents who are trying to make sense of a world turned upside down. Fortunately, organizations like Coastal Horizons, with a mission of fostering healthier lives, stronger families, and safer communities, are continuously breaking through to meet the needs of their patients and their families.

Breaking Barriers to Care

Over the last 40 years, Coastal Horizons has been fighting the stigma associated with mental health treatment and implementing innovative solutions to bridge care gaps. Their school-based services bring mental health support directly to students, eliminating transportation barriers in rural communities. Mobile clinics further expand access, ensuring children and their families can receive care wherever they are in the southeastern North Carolina counties Coastal Horizons serves.

One standout program is the Child First Initiative, which focuses on mental health for children ages birth to five. This upstream approach has demonstrated remarkable long-term outcomes, reducing the need for more intensive interventions as children grow older. These efforts underscore the key principle of meeting children where they are, both physically and emotionally, which leads to better health outcomes.

A Collaborative Approach

The conversation around youth mental health isn’t just about increasing access to care—it’s about fostering environments where mental and emotional challenges are openly discussed. Coastal Horizons and many similar organizations are normalizing the importance of emotional well-being by collaborating with schools, families, and communities to create an open and supportive network. Coastal Horizons’ integrated care model, which combines mental health and primary care, exemplifies a holistic approach that treats the whole child, not just their symptoms.

How You Can Make a Difference

Although addressing youth mental health requires a collective effort, there are actionable steps individuals and communities can take, such as:

• Engaging in Dialogue: Talk openly about mental health to reduce stigma. Normalize asking for help as a sign of strength, not weakness.
• Training: Seek training from programs like Youth Mental Health First Aid to equip community members with the tools to recognize and respond to signs of mental distress.
• Supporting Local Organizations: Donate, volunteer, or advocate for frontline youth mental health organizations like Coastal Horizons.
• Advocating for Policy Change: Speak with policymakers to prioritize funding for mental health services in schools and underserved communities.

Moving Forward with Purpose

The journey to mental and emotional well-being among children and teens is a marathon, not a sprint. As we step into a new year, let’s commit to creating environments where every child feels seen, heard, and supported. By investing in our youth’s mental health, we’re not just addressing an immediate crisis—we’re building a foundation for healthier, more equitable, and more resilient communities for generations to come.

Did you miss the episode? You can Listen here

About the Guest + Organization

Coastal Horizons is an organization whose mission is to promote choices for healthier lives, stronger families and safer communities. As the largest private, nonprofit human service organization in southeastern North Carolina, Coastal Horizons serves over half the counties in the state.

Ryan Estes, Chief Operating Officer of Coastal Horizons, leads the organization’s efforts in mental health, substance use treatment, justice services, child welfare, and integrated health programming. With a background in Psychology from Wake Forest University, an MSW from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an MBA from University of North Carolina Wilmington, Ryan brings a wealth of knowledge to his role. He holds licenses in North Carolina as a clinical social worker and clinical addiction specialist. He serves as Treasurer on the National Association of Social Work Board. Ryan also shares his expertise as a part-time instructor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s College of Health and Human Services. He is a current Annie E. Casey Foundation Child and Family Fellow. 

Kristina Clemmons, Program Director at Coastal Horizons Center’s Brunswick County Child & Adolescent Office, leads a team providing outpatient and school-based mental health services across Brunswick and Columbus public schools and three Classical Charter School of America sites. With a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Coastal Carolina University and an MS in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University, Kristina holds licenses in North Carolina as a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist, and National Certified Counselor, alongside being a Certified Clinical Supervisor with the NC Addiction Specialist Professional Practice Board. With 15 years of experience in mental health, Kristina actively serves on local committees, including the Juvenile Crime Prevention Council and the Resilient Columbus Council.