The COVID-19 pandemic on top of growing racial tensions across the nation are impacting youth mental health—including stress, anxiety, and fear. With school closures and the digital divide, young people are missing a sense of structure and stimulation and are at greater risk for social isolation while not receiving the social support that is essential for their overall mental health and well-being. Join this NNED Virtual Roundtable in collaboration with the MHTTC Network Coordinating Office to learn how community-based organizations (CBOs) working with underserved and racially/ethnically diverse youth—Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), immigrant and refugee, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and 2-spirit (LGBTQIA2S+)—are quickly shifting their practices and programs in today’s unprecedented environment to address these mental health needs. Responses to these growing needs of youth include bolstering methods for telehealth, shifting to more remote positions, and providing services in innovative ways. Panelists will share methods for how they are enhancing their staff’s skills and shifting roles to build resilience and competently respond in crisis situations. Objectives: Understand the national context of the behavioral health issues that underserved and racially/ethnically diverse youth are currently facing; Identify innovative approaches CBOs are taking to meet diverse youth where they are; Learn about unique CBO partnerships to address the behavioral health needs of diverse youth; and Learn how CBOs are increasing their staff capacity, socio-emotional skills, and self-care to quickly adapt and respond to crises. This is Part 1 of a 2021 NNED Virtual Roundtable series "Community-Based Organizations Build Pathways to Behavioral Health Equity for Communities of Color." Learn more about the panelists and the 2021 NNED Virtual Roundtable Series: https://nned.net/8349/

Facilitator Rachele Espiritu, PhD Founding Partner, Change Matrix Director, National Facilitation Center for the NNED