Youth mental health services to benefit from Saturday meat raffle

Mar. 20—The Mental Health Association in Niagara County is holding a fundraiser Saturday to expand local services for youths amid a national children's mental health crisis.

According to MHA executive director Dan Colpoys, the mental health of adolescents and teens is at a crisis level across the US. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children's Hospital Association have declared a national emergency in child and adolescent mental health.

Colpoys said demand for youth psychological services are at an all-time high. One-third of teen boys and 57% of teen girls express persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and despair; 22% of teens say they have contemplated suicide, as well as 41% of LGBTQIA+ youth.

Currently, the Mental Health Association in Niagara County offers "The Couch," a free, safe, fun space for tweens and teens to hang out inside MHA's Lockport office, 36 Pine St. The program was established in 2019, and in 2024 MHA is looking to expand it with additional services and evidence-based programming — hence the fundraiser.

MHA is hosting a meat raffle at the St. Johnsburg fire hall, 7165 Ward Road, Wheatfield, on Saturday. Doors open at 5:45 p.m. and the first drawing will take place at 6:30 p.m. The event is for adults only (21 and older), as admission includes beer, wine and soda. There will be a wine/liquor ring toss, a 50/50 raffle and other games. Tickets are $15 per person or $100 for a table of eight. For tickets, call 716-433-3780 or email dcolpoys@mhanc.com.

Money raised during the meat raffle is just a part of the solution, according to Colpoys. MHA is developing a plan to grow its reach among youths in Niagara County, by means including partnerships with other organizations such as Mental Health Advocates of WNY, which last week unveiled its Teen Chat Line through which teens struggling with mental health concerns can talk with professionals.

___

(c)2024 the Niagara Gazette (Niagara Falls, N.Y.)

Visit the Niagara Gazette (Niagara Falls, N.Y.) at www.niagara-gazette.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.