Our Process
Communities for Youth
We all have an important role to play in preventing youth behavioral health struggles including substance use and mental health concerns. We use an evidence-backed process that helps schools, parents, and communities come together to prevent youth challenges long before they negatively impact young people’s health, well-being, and academic achievement.
Of course, we know schools and communities cannot and should not be expected to do this alone. We offer a variety of partnership options that schools/districts and communities can choose from to fit their unique needs and context.
What is upstream prevention?
Upstream prevention or “moving upstream” means preventing negative outcomes long before they occur rather than reacting or responding to an issue that has become severe. ​
Prevention over Postvention
For youth mental health, that means creating and sustaining community conditions that support young people and their families rather than relying solely on mental health providers or other emergency responders.
Community as the Focus
We wholeheartedly support those who support youth with mental health treatment and services, but we know an all hands on deck approach is needed to truly change the youth mental health landscape in Idaho. That’s why the Communities for Youth process empowers whole communities to move their prevention efforts upstream.
All of Us Can Contribute
​Everyone has a role to play in building the best possible communities for young people. This includes parents, extended family members, teachers, coaches, youth development professionals, faith leaders and members of the business community.
Benefits of the Upstream Prevention Approach
01
Creates conditions for youth that bolster positive experiences and limit negative experiences or harm experienced by young people so that poor outcomes are less likely to occur.
03
Empowers parents, schools, and many individuals, groups, and organizations within a community to take effective action.
02
Positively affects all young people in a community rather than one young person or a small group of them.
04
Gets us “ahead of the problem” alleviating pressure on the mental health system and emergency responders.
Learn More
Upstream Prevention Webinar
Dr. Megan Smith discusses the Icelandic Prevention model and how it influences Communities for Youth's approach.
