Beginning early in 2022, more than four dozen community leaders, over twenty Stamford organizations, came together as in a singular initiative: Stamford Youth Mental Health Alliance (Stamford YMHA).

The Stamford YMHA is a community-level response to a complex community-level need. While standard efforts are largely focused on providing clinical care in reaction to an identified need, a significant part of the care ecosystem – parents, caregiver, families, peers and community organizations – is left underutilized. This influential component that includes places where children are reared, nurtured, worship, play and engage in the community can have a potentially unlimited role in supporting mental wellness.

The strength-based approach is a hallmark of the Stamford YMHA. Applying our efforts collaboratively, Stamford can make a significant leap forward in its attitudes and efforts to help our children and adolescents thrive and remain healthy.