Prevention has always been the better way to address a problem. Vaccines are cheaper and have better outcomes than ICUs– same with early education for addiction or seatbelts in cars. While preventative measures have been proven to save more lives, as well as public funds, the mental health crisis has not had an innovative solution until recently. The work that inpatient facilities and crisis centers do is invaluable, but a system that waits until patients are at high risk to deliver treatment allows many to lose their jobs, families, livelihoods, and even their lives to the clutches of their mental struggle and the cracks of our system.
The State of California, building on the innovations of headspace in Australia, Foundry and YWHO in Canada, and Stanford University sought to tackle this program with allcove. Focusing on one of the highest risk populations––youth aged 12-25––allcove centers are barrier-free, meaning services are free and insurance is not required. Each center is supported by a Youth Advisory Group, or YAG, a group of 16–25-year-old youth who guide the center’s events, services, and design to match the needs of the community. Five centers are open, including our local center in San Juan Capistrano, with several more to come.
As an Orange County young person with my own mental health struggles, I immediately saw the potential a center like allcove could have to support my peers and I through good times and bad. Joining the YAG in high school, I helped guide everything from services and hours to the couches chosen at the San Juan Capistrano allcove center. Since opening in September of last year, the center has provided mental health and social support, career and academic support, family support; and now physical health treatment to over 125 youth in the area free of charge.
However, allcove centers across the state need continued support. While the allcove network works to make a sustainable funding model, rippling impacts from COVID and community-specific challenges have shown the need for further ‘bridge’ funding. In May, I joined a team of other youth and YAG alumni, along with our center director, to campaign for this funding in Sacramento on behalf of our community. Trying to find funding in a state budget is never an easy task, but we had a leg up– this system works. Exisitng allcoves have tens of thousands of young people who have left supported and satisfied. Universal psychosis screenings have caught early signs and supported treatment before episodes even appear, keeping youth on the right track for their lives and careers. Additionally, youth build up social connections and trust in the system, leading some to commute across counties to an allcove for the standard of care.
We met with representatives and staff across the state and political spectrum, all of which had a recognition of the mental health crisis we face today, especially how it impacts youth. There is a shared climate in Sacramento and locally that something needs to be done to support those facing struggles and to prevent future generations from falling into the same overwhelmed care pipelines. It was refreshing how embraced the model was among all kinds of identities and party alignments considering how polarized many topics in our country, even mental health, can be.
My passion for the project is intense, but following my trip to Sacramento it’s even stronger. I have seen from an administrative and youth side that this is the system that works. The peers I met from other centers share the same passion and have expressed the hope it fills them with following their own mental health struggles. Talking to anyone involved in this project proves to me it’s the future for California youth.
Whether you or your family have experienced mental health struggles or not, becoming familiar with the infrastructure and organizations in your community is important. You are always welcome to tour allcove Sam Juanm Capistrano– adults are welcome 10AM to noon Tuesday-Friday, and youth can come from noon to 7PM Tuesday-Friday, and Saturday ten to four. Find info, events, and our address at allcove.org/san-juan-capistrano or on Instagram @allcovesanjuancapistrano.
allcove San Juan Capistrano is operated by the Wellness & Prevention Center and partners with Camino Health Center, WorkforceOC, THRIVE Together OC and other youth supports to serve 12-25 year olds.
Sophie Martin is a psychology student in college and a former member of the allcove San Juan Capistrano Youth Advisory Group. Contact Sophie through info@wpc-oc.org.