May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and a Piatt County behavioral health leader is emphasizing the critical need for structured youth support systems and alternative care models across the region.

According to Tony Kirkman, Executive Director of the Piatt County Mental Health Center, data stemming from the biennial Illinois Youth Survey provides local school districts with crucial insights into adolescent anxiety, depression, and safety. He is closely tracking metrics regarding whether local students feel they have access to a trusted adult outside of their parents for advice and counsel.

To meet those emerging needs, local school districts have increasingly embedded dedicated therapists directly within their buildings to provide immediate behavioral health interventions. Looking ahead to the 2027 academic year, Kirkman indicates that state mandates will require school districts to provide formal mental health assessments for grades three through twelve to proactively identify youth in crisis.

Kirkman is highlighting a major shift in how the adult population navigates addiction and wellness. Statistically, roughly 50 percent of individuals diagnosed with a substance use disorder also carry a co-occurring mental health diagnosis.

For parents navigating the complexities of raising teenagers, Kirkman feels that introducing a secondary trusted adult who shares the family's core values, ethics, or faith can be an invaluable asset for a child. 

For more information on resources, counseling services, or information on behavioral health programs, contact the Piatt County Mental Health Center at 217-762-5371, visit piattmch.org, or find them on Facebook.