The importance of community mental health support for transition-aged youth

Transition-aged youth, typically between the ages of 16 and 24, face some of the most complex and challenging years of their lives. Mental health challenges among youth are alarmingly common. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 20% of adolescents aged 13-18 have, or will have, a serious mental illness at some point. This period represents a time of profound change and growth, where they move from adolescence to adulthood. They face decisions about their futures, from education and career to relationships and independence. For many, mental health issues—such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or substance use disorder—may come to the forefront during this period, often exacerbated by external stressors like social pressure, academic pressure, family dynamics, or socioeconomic challenges. 

Vermont’s community mental health system is built around the idea of local community-based care, with regional centers offering services tailored to the needs of the community. The system is decentralized, meaning that mental health services are available through a network of designated agencies and specialized service agencies (DAs/SSAs), each serving specific geographic regions.

DAs and SSAs are nonprofit organizations that serve specific counties or regions of Vermont and are responsible for providing a range of services, which may include crisis intervention, mental health treatment, intellectual and developmental disability services, substance use counseling, case management, and more.

Clara Martin Center (CMC) like the majority of the DAs play a key role in ensuring that mental health services are accessible and that individuals receive appropriate care at all stages of their mental health journey. They offer services such as:

• Outpatient therapy and counseling
• Medication management
• Crisis intervention and emergency services
• Case management and support for individuals with severe mental health conditions
• Inpatient and residential treatment (in collaboration with hospitals)
• Transition Aged Youth

As one of the 10 designated agencies, CMC is a key provider of mental health and social services in Orange County and the greater Upper Valley offers a wide range of services aimed at improving the mental health and well-being of individuals and families in the community. Through CMC’s development under the Certified Community Based Integrated Health Center (CCBHC) model, CMC was able to expand programming for Transition Aged Youth (TAY) to provide specialized support to young people during their transition to adulthood. When adequate mental health support is unavailable or insufficient for transition aged youth, the consequences can be severe and far reaching.

1. Increased Risk of Homelessness

Many transition-aged youth, particularly those aging out of the foster care or juvenile justice system, face the risk of homelessness. Without stable housing or the skills to manage their mental health, these young people are vulnerable to living on the streets, which further exacerbates their mental health issues. Lack of support systems means they may be unable to access necessary care, which can trap them in a cycle of instability. Vermont’s TAY population is experiencing increases in housing insecurity, and this can complicate access to services.

2. Substance Use Disorder

Untreated mental health issues often lead to self-medication through substance use. Youth who struggle with depression, anxiety, or trauma may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions. This can lead to substance use problems that compound existing mental health issues, making it even harder to break free from the cycle of distress. 

3. School and Employment Challenges

Mental health struggles often impact a young person’s ability to perform academically or hold down a job. Youth who are not supported through these challenges may drop out of school, miss employment opportunities, or struggle to build stable careers. This creates long-term issues with financial independence and can lead to further mental health distress.

4. Increased Risk of Involvement with the Criminal Justice System

Young people without access to mental health support are more likely to engage in risky behaviors that may lead to criminal activity. For example, untreated mental illness combined with unstable housing or substance use can increase the likelihood of encounters with law enforcement. This not only leads to legal consequences but can also further damage their mental and emotional health, preventing them from moving forward in life.

Community mental health services are vital for transition-aged youth because they provide resources that are both accessible and tailored to the unique needs of the individual. Unlike adult-focused mental health care, which may be less attuned to the challenges faced by younger individuals, community-based programs often take into account the particular life-stage challenges of youth, including educational pressures, identity formation, and the development of emotional resilience.

Additionally, these services are usually more flexible, lower-cost, and less formalized, making them more approachable for young people who may be reluctant to seek help due to stigma or a lack of trust in clinical settings. Importantly, community mental health support also helps build a sense of belonging and connection—critical for youth who may feel isolated or misunderstood.

Effective mental health services for transition-aged youth incorporate several key strategies to ensure they are not only accessible but also effective in promoting long-term well-being. Some of the best practices include:

1. Comprehensive, Holistic Services

Many transition-aged youth face complex challenges that intersect with mental health, such as homelessness, poverty, or trauma. To address these needs, mental health services must be coordinated with other social services, ensuring that the young person receives help in all areas of life. At the Clara Martin Center, staff foster collaborations with local resources and businesses to include transition aged youth in their community while diversifying the offerings for thoughtful application of services. Programs that integrate mental health care with vocational training, academic support, and life skills development are more likely to produce positive outcomes. For example, youth who are struggling with emotional issues may also need help finding stable employment or enrolling in college. Providing these services in tandem ensures that youth are supported in a comprehensive way that promotes their long-term success.

2. Peer Support and Mentorship

Peer support is an essential component of effective community mental health programs. Young people are often more likely to open up about their struggles to peers who have similar experiences. Peer support programs, where individuals with lived experience in mental health recovery help guide others, are particularly effective in building trust and engagement with services. Mentorship programs also play a critical role in helping youth navigate their transition. Connecting youth with mentors who can provide guidance, encouragement, and practical advice helps them feel supported as they face challenges. These relationships can help mitigate feelings of loneliness and isolation while offering practical skills for dealing with life stressors.

3. Culturally Competent Care

Many transition-aged youth come from diverse cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is important that mental health services are culturally competent — meaning they respect and integrate the diverse values, beliefs, and practices of the youth they serve. Culturally responsive services build trust and help young people feel understood and validated. This might include employing staff who reflect the community’s diversity, offering services in multiple languages, and recognizing cultural stigmas surrounding mental health.

4. Early Intervention and Preventative Care

Prevention and early intervention are crucial for ensuring that mental health challenges do not escalate. Services that focus on early screening for mental health issues can identify potential problems before they become crises. Providing youth with the tools to manage their mental health before issues worsen is a proactive approach that can significantly reduce the need for intensive interventions later. Youth mental health and skills-based groups can teach coping mechanisms, stress management, and emotional regulation and can help prevent mental health issues from spiraling by creating safe spaces where youth can talk openly about their mental health.

CMC’s best practices for transition-aged youth, grounded in a strength-based and resiliency model and employing diverse approaches to support individuals and meet them where they are, include programs such as CMC’s Adventure Program and JOBS Program.

CMC’s Adventure Program

Youth are provided access to both clinical and skills-based groups, through exploring activities designed to promote healthy risk taking and critical thinking as well as emotional regulation. Youth could be involved in an art group such as photography through collaborations with entities like The White River Craft Center. Youth could explore rock climbing or ice climbing through collaborations with The Green Mountain Rock Climbing Center. Youth could participate in equine-based groups in conjunction with our partnership with Moonrise Therapeutics. Some youth prefer to have adventures of the mind and at CMC we offer a variety of gaming groups and other low intensity experiences. 

JOBS Program

Our Jump on Board for Success program is a collaboration with HireAbility and Upper Valley Workforce. Our Counselors and Case Managers work with youth to help them through vocational supports, as well as career counseling. We help them practice interview skills, create a resume and connect them with potential employers.  

Providing strong, community-based mental health support for transition-aged youth is not just a matter of addressing immediate emotional needs — it is an investment in the future. By offering a comprehensive, culturally responsive, and holistic support system, we can empower these young individuals to overcome the challenges of this critical life stage and set them on a path toward success and stability. Without proper mental health support, the risks are far-reaching. It is essential that we prioritize community-based mental health care to help transition-aged youth navigate the complexities of growing up and becoming thriving adults.

For more information on services offered at the Clara Martin Center, please visit www.claramartin.org. 

This article was written by Michael Dooley, Transition Aged Youth Coordinator, Clara Martin Center.

This article is part of a series, collaboratively produced by members of Vermont Care Partners, a statewide network of sixteen non-profit, community-based agencies providing mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disability supports.

Read the story on VTDigger here: The importance of community mental health support for transition-aged youth.