West Virginia becomes first state to give free mental health coaching to families

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — As mental health issues have increased across West Virginia and the U.S. over the last few years, officials have scrambled to find ways to help families support their loved ones, especially children.

This year, West Virginia became the first state to make free coaching resources for parents available. Back in July, WVU Medicine Children’s and the Cook Center for Human Connection announced a joint effort to provide mental health resources for children and families in the state. On Thursday, officials held a news conference to explain what that means.

The resources include free one-on-one parent coach, an on-demand course and ask a therapist videos, all offered in both English and Spanish and provided by ParentGuidance.org . Since its soft-launch two days ago, officials said 200 families have already signed up.

“To have someone that they can talk to that can help them through maybe a difficult situation, but maybe even just a parenting question that they have. Having these resources available for parents is so, so valuable,” said Anne Brown with the Cook Center for Human Connection.

The effort now also includes the State Department of Education and QB United which supports the expansion of mental health resources and includes former WVU quarterback and two-time Super Bowl champion Jeff Hostetler. During the news conference, Hostetler spoke on breaking through the mental health stigma.

“To help others feel more comfortable knowing that they aren’t the only ones that struggle.” Said Hostetler.

According to the 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report, “nearly 20% of children and young people ages 3-17 in the United States have a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder, and suicidal behaviors among high school students increased more than 40% in the decade before 2019”.

“Families. These are difficult conversations to have, and they’re scary conversations to have and to reach out and ask for help can be very difficult. So these types of initiatives helps families reach out sooner, right? And us to reduce some of that stigma and also help with early intervention. And the earlier we intervene, the better off our kids are. And so hopefully we’re expanding in that direction,” Amanda Newhouse with WVU Medicine said.

This is a multiyear program so families are able to get coaching as much or as little as needed. Coaches can also act as a liaison if it is determined families need more care. Brown said that at the end of the day, this program is an effort to create mental health care actively preventative and give families the tools to succeed. Educators are also encouraged to reach out and use the resources available.

More resources are availble in the links below:

• WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital | WVU Medicine Childrens
• Welcome – Parent Guidance
• QB United | Home

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.