(Madera, Calif.) – Valley Children's Healthcare and Fresno State announced today the launch of Healthy Kids. Healthy Futures., a community health initiative focused on the mental health and physical well-being of kids and young adults in the Central Valley to help secure the future of the community for generations to come.
“One of the great responsibilities of a community is to care for its children. And more than ever, we must provide a greater array of mental health services and ensure they have access to those services,” says Valley Children’s President & CEO Todd Suntrapak.
“We are thrilled to partner with Valley Children’s on the Healthy Kids. Healthy Futures. initiative, and to continue our ongoing partnership in supporting and training healthcare professionals,” says Fresno State President Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval. “This program represents our shared commitment to the success and well-being of our community. By addressing the factors that affect children’s health, we can ensure a brighter and more vibrant future.”
Healthy Kids. Healthy Futures. launched today in recognition of May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Counties in the Central Valley have some of the highest rates of students experiencing depression-related feelings, and suicide is the second leading cause of death for children, adolescents and young adults. Furthermore, mental and behavioral issues in children and teens are increasingly manifesting as physical issues. Throughout the month of May, Fresno State and Valley Children’s will hold events to promote mental health awareness, including wellness activities at the university and special activities at local schools.
The Healthy Kids. Healthy Futures. website at www.valleychildrens.org/healthykids is equipped with resources to help parents start and continue conversations with kids and teens about mental health. Throughout the month of May, tune in to ABC30 and Univision 21 Fresno as they dive deeper into the state of mental health among youth in the Central Valley.
This health awareness campaign is the latest collaboration between Valley Children’s Healthcare and Fresno State, which launched a 10-year partnership in July 2022. That partnership provides funding for scholarships, increased opportunities for students pursuing degrees in health professions and other collaborative opportunities.