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Helping You Prevent Youth Violence and Promote Overall Well-Being

You know that the health and prosperity of our families require an investment in the physical and emotional health of our young children. You know that, for children to enter school ready to learn, we need to improve coordination across child-serving systems. You know that youth violence can be prevented, and you want to do something about it. But where do you start? How do you know what works? And how do you not just support these efforts, but make sure that children and youth—from birth through their teens—and their families can thrive and excel in your community?

Announcing the National Resource Center for Mental Health Promotion and Youth Violence Prevention, or National Resource Center, for short.

Designed to support programs funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the field at-large, the National Resource Center connects leading experts with local leaders and practitioners who use innovative, proven approaches in their communities to prevent youth violence and promote the overall well-being of children, youth, and their families.

The National Resource Center will help you bring together multiple sectors in your community—early care and education, public health, primary care, behavioral health, child welfare, juvenile justice, and law enforcement—to work together to address this issue. The information, materials, and training here will guide your efforts to:

  • Engage youth and families in this work.
  • Use a multi-sectoral public health approach.
  • Support approaches that minimize the effects of trauma.
  • Provide services and programs that match your community’s culture and language.
  • Reduce gaps in health and wellness among racial, ethnic, and sexual minority populations.
  • Improve delivery of and funding for behavioral health services.

The National Resource Center is more than a website. It is experts and partners, activities, and resources—all focused on supporting efforts to promote mental health and prevent youth violence—in one easy-to-access platform. We invite you to explore the resources today to find ideas for this important work in your community.