Built for Kids
Help Light the Way for Kids
One in five young people in the U.S. have a mental health disorder, and in Kansas City over 40 percent of those kids don’t get the help they need. That’s why Children’s Mercy launched Illuminate, a 5-year, $275 million plan, to address this youth mental health crisis through early intervention, equitable access, expanded services and research. We need your help. Learn how you can help light the path forward.
Make a Difference May
You can make a difference this May! Join together with local businesses and the community to raise funds to support Children's Mercy kids and families.
Mental Health Summit
To help tackle the youth mental health crisis, it takes all of us. Learn how Children’s Mercy joined forces with three leading healthcare organizations at a summit this month to discuss a collaborative approach to continue to improve behavioral care for kids. Here, attendees heard a message of hope from the mayor, an emotional story of a life saved from suicide and the status of our Illuminate plan.
One Small Step
Thinking about the youth mental health crisis as a whole can be…a lot. One small step can make a big difference for you and your child.
Use our Mental Health Toolkit to decide if a text, phone call, conversation starter, assessment or visit may be right for you. We’re here when you need us – this first step and always.
Emerging Principal Investigators: Dr. Ayanda Chakawa
Ayanda Chakawa, PhD, Developmental and Behavioral Health, is both a clinical psychologist who provides behavioral health care to youth and a researcher interested in improving access to that care. She is particularly interested in behavioral health care access issues for youth from historically marginalized populations.
