Episode #81: Protecting Youth Mental Health

Guest: Executive Director Tom Duff, LCSW

Youth mental health is in crisis. So much so, that the United States Surgeon General issued the Advisory, “Protecting Youth Mental Health,” in December 2021. As one of the largest providers of mental-health services to children and teens in 130 schools throughout 10 counties and the City of St. Louis, Saint Louis Counseling knows first-hand, the sense of urgency of the Surgeon General’s Advisory. As Executive Director of the agency, Tom Duff, LCSW, also knows what needs to be done to help kids and teens thrive mentally, now and well into the future.

In this week’s “Mental Health Matters” episode, Tom focuses on the Surgeon General’s Advisory, discussing the mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges that youth (18 years old and younger) are experiencing, especially since COVID. As a therapist himself, Tom also addresses how youth mental-health conditions are treatable and often preventable. Learn what mental-health concerns are on the rise, how Saint Louis Counseling’s services and programs improve youth mental-health conditions, and how, together, we can all help kids thrive!