Matters
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“Have you ever felt helpless or out of control? That’s how I feel when
I have anxiety. I’m getting better every day. Through my anxiety, I have
learned to never give up on myself. Keep trying even when things aren’t
so good.”
These are the words of a Lincoln County student … and this student
is not alone.
Mental health challenges and disorders—defined as any disease or
condition affecting the brain that influences the way a person thinks,
feels, behaves and/or relates to others and their surroundings—affect
approximately 20 percent of children and youth, or 13.7 million, in a
given year. Such conditions are caused by a combination of genetic,
biological, psychological and environmental factors and can affect
anyone regardless of age or circumstance.
In the U.S., half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by
age 14, with anxiety disorders as the most common mental health
challenge children and adolescents face. When mental illness begins at
adolescence, it can affect the young person’s education, ability to work
and form relationships and can lead to the use of alcohol and drugs—it
can also be treated and managed.
In Lincoln County, voters elected to “Put Kids First” in 2006,
approving a ¼-cent sales tax to fund mental health and substance abuse
programs and services for local youth ages 0-19 and their families.
The Lincoln County Resource Board (LCRB) oversees these funds,
establishing and maintaining a comprehensive system of communitybased mental health programs and specialists who provide free care and
support to our county’s kids.
“The Lincoln County Resource Board exists to improve the quality
and access of mental health services for our communities’ youth
and their families,” said Cheri Winchester, LCRB executive director.
"Working with our schools and training adults who care for our kids
is imperative for connecting our youth to preventative services and
interventions when needed.”
In 2013-14, the LCRB offered funding for Lincoln County guidance
counselors to earn their certifications as Youth Mental Health First
Aid trainers. Two counselors from the R-III School District, Jennifer
Lescher and Kristi Gregory, earned their certifications. Lescher and
Gregory have already provided training for the district and conducted
a second training for all Lincoln County School Districts. Both funded
Considering mental health problems are more common than heart disease, lung disease and cancer
combined, prevention, early intervention and access to quality, effective treatments prove critical for the
overall health of our kids and community.
The Science of Heali