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MENTAL HEALTH Program aims to prevent mental illness in youth Maslow Project helps homeless kids and families Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jul. 28, 2016 at 12:01 PM Updated Jul 29, 2016 at 5:41 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jul. 28, 2016 at 12:01 PM Updated Jul 29, 2016 at 5:41 PM » Social News A Medford organization is working to prevent mental health issues among homeless youth by helping them before they develop depression, anxiety and other problems. To help fund the work, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners last week awarded a $127,531 contract to Maslow Project, a nonprofit group that helps homeless and unstably housed youth, from babies up to 21-year-olds, and their families. Maslow Project Executive Director Mary Ferrell said kids who are hungry and inadequately dressed not only have trouble concentrating in school and get physically sick more often, but they can develop mental health issues, too. "They're worried about the next meal and where they will sleep that night," she said. "Kids can feel depression, hopelessness and despair. That can contribute to kids feeling disconnected." Maslow Project helps kids meet their basic needs with food, hygiene supplies, clothing, housing and medical care. "As a human being, you can't reach your full potential if your basic needs aren't met," Ferrell said. The organization also provides a supportive environment through school-based case managers and family advocates, and reaches out to youth on the streets with an outreach team. Maslow Project helps homeless youth participate in school sports, summer camps, after-school programs and other activities. There they make connections with adult mentors and other kids, Ferrell said. The goal is to help homeless youth make connections in the community and feel supported, she said. For youths who receive Maslow Project case management, 75 percent participate in community activities, according to data kept by the organization. For high school students who got help, 51 percent of seniors graduated — more than twice the national average for homeless teens. Of those, 25 percent enrolled in college after graduation, according to the organization. If youths are already dealing with mental health issues, Maslow Project offers individual and family mental health counseling and crisis intervention in a less-threatening environment. "A lot of homeless youth and their families are system wary. They're predisposed to have a negative feeling about being assessed, documented and a part of the system," Ferrell said. Mental health intervention can range from short, solution-focused conversations about what is bothering a youth and what basic needs he or she has right now, to developing a long-term strategy, setting goals or connecting to Jackson County mental health services, she said. "We're an easy 'in,' " Ferrell said. Maslow Project also runs an art-therapy studio that provides a way for kids and families to receive therapy in a nontraditional way, she said. "They can talk through issues without being in a clinical setting," Ferrell said. In addition to helping homeless youth living on the streets, Maslow Project helps kids and families who are couch-surfing, doubled up with friends or relatives, camping or staying in vehicles, trailers without utilities, shelters, motels and other unstable, inadequate places. An estimated 10 percent of students attending Jackson County schools are homeless. In addition, Maslow Project annually serves more than 400 children younger than 5. For more information, call or text Maslow Project's 24-hour helpline at 541-601-2443 or see www.maslowproject.com . Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Jul. 28, 2016 at 12:01 PM Updated Jul 29, 2016 at 5:41 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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