1062: Meeting Youth Where They Are: Expanding Mental Health Access and Youth Voice with PHIG

How do public health agencies expand access to mental health support while genuinely engaging the next generation? In this episode, we speak with Heidi Laird and Xavier Foster from the Southern Nevada Health District about two PHIG-funded initiatives designed to do exactly that.  First, Heidi Laird shares how Clark County launched CredibleMind, a customizable, evidence-based mental health and wellbeing platform created in response to rising mental health needs and a shortage of providers. She explains how flexible PHIG funding made it possible to reach youth and community members with self-help resources, reduce stigma, track meaningful engagement data, and build trust through partnerships, targeted outreach, and creative promotion.  Then, Xavier J. Foster discusses the SPARK Youth Advisory Council, a pilot program elevating youth voices in public health decision-making. He highlights how youth-led initiatives—from school town halls to smoke-free campus policy efforts—are already shaping real-world outcomes, and why treating young people as collaborators is essential for building healthier communities and a future public health workforce.

Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG