Notably Gifted Health and Wellness

Mental Health and Wellness for Underserved Youth

Program Summary

Notably Gifted Arts Academy is expanding its services to launch a licensed, trauma-informed mental health clinic focused on supporting inner-city youth in Montgomery County, Ohio. Our clinic will provide culturally competent, community-centered mental health care with a focus on violence prevention, emotional regulation, academic improvement, and suicide prevention. This initiative aims to address the urgent and growing mental health crisis among underserved youth populations.

Youth in Ohio face significant mental health challenges, compounded by poverty, community violence, and lack of access to adequate care. In Montgomery County, 22% of children under age 18 live below the poverty line, a key contributor to cycles of violence, academic underperformance, and emotional trauma.

Alarming statistics from the Ohio Department of Health (2023) and the Center for Gun Violence Solutions illustrate the urgency:

• Firearms were the leading cause of death among Ohio youth aged 1–17 in 2023.
  
• In that year alone, Ohio saw 690 firearm-related homicides and 1,039 suicides, with 80% of youth suicides involving firearms.
  
• Suicide was the second-leading cause of death for youth aged 10–14.
  
• An average of one youth aged 10–24 died by suicide every 36 hours in Ohio in 2023.

• The Ohio High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2023) found that 29% of high school students experienced poor mental health, and 9% reported attempting suicide, up from 7% in 2019.

These indicators demonstrate an urgent need for early intervention, culturally sensitive mental health support, and comprehensive community-based care.

Our clinic will provide trauma-informed mental health care for youth ages 5–18 residing in underserved communities across Montgomery County. We aim to break cycles of trauma, reduce youth violence, and support academic success through a six-pronged approach:

We will identify mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral disorders at an early stage. Early intervention significantly reduces the risk of chronic mental illness, school failure, and juvenile justice involvement later in life.

Through established partnerships with local schools, we bring services directly into the environments where youth already feel safe. We reduce barriers by:

• Accepting Medicaid
• Offering sliding-scale fees
• Providing services within schools and community centers to eliminate transportation challenges.Our presence in schools and neighborhoods fosters trust and encourages youth and families to seek help.

Our team includes providers trained in trauma-informed and culturally responsive care, capable of addressing issues rooted in:

• Racial and socioeconomic disparities
  
• Community violence
  
• Poverty-related stress and food insecurity
  We also partner with Dayton Cooks to provide healthy meals to students in our after-school programs to address food insecurity.
  

Mental wellness is critical to academic success. Youth receiving care through our clinic will experience:

• Improved attendance and academic performance
  
• Reduced behavioral disruptions
  
• Enhanced social-emotional skills
  These outcomes create more stable home and school environments.
  

We will coordinate care with:

• Licensed counselors and therapists
  
• Social workers and case managers
  
• Peer mentors
  Families will also receive support with housing, food, clothing, and other basic needs—ensuring a comprehensive approach to wellness.
  
  

Our work focuses on reducing exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including abuse, neglect, and family instability. By addressing trauma early, we can help youth build resilience and avoid engagement with the juvenile justice system.

This initiative will serve youth/families aged 5–18 in Montgomery County who are: living in poverty, at risk of or experiencing trauma, facing barriers to traditional mental health care

By expanding Notably Gifted Arts Academy’s services to include a licensed mental health clinic, we aim to address the systemic and deeply rooted mental health challenges facing youth in Montgomery County. Our model is proactive, community-based, and culturally competent—offering not just treatment, but transformation.