Mental Health Awareness is Something All of Us Must Champion in Our Communities

As June begins and summer settles across Texas, children and families are adjusting to a major seasonal transition. For many young people, summer is a time filled with fun and freedom. But for children and youth in foster care, the change in routine can bring increased uncertainty, stress, and emotional challenges. 

During the school year, schools provide much more than education. For many children, school is a dependable source of meals, structure, social connection, emotional support, and stability. When summer arrives, those supports often disappear overnight. Children may face food insecurity, increased isolation, more screen time, and fewer opportunities for positive social interaction — all of which can negatively impact their mental health and emotional well-being. 

For children in foster care, these challenges are often compounded by trauma. Children entering foster care frequently carry deep emotional wounds caused by abuse, neglect, family separation, and instability – changing homes and schools, being separated from everything they know. In fact, studies show that up to 80% of children in foster care experience significant mental health challenges, compared to approximately 20% of children in the general population. They struggle with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief, and feelings of loneliness and isolation. In many cases, they don’t have access to consistent support systems or adequate mental health resources. 

Despite how common these experiences are, conversations around the mental health needs of children in foster care do not happen nearly enough. At Texas CASA, we believe it is critical to shine a light on these challenges and continue building awareness, compassion, and support for children and families who need it most. 

This is where CASA volunteers make an extraordinary difference. 

CASA volunteers play a critical role in the child welfare system by advocating for the best interests of children. They provide consistency in moments of uncertainty and ensure children’s needs are seen and heard. CASA volunteers connect children and youth to the wraparound services they need, partnering with caregivers and caseworkers to schedule routine check-ups, specialist visits, and therapy sessions. Ultimately, they play a part in helping ensure their mental health needs don’t fall through the cracks. 

To help volunteers better support children who have experienced trauma, Texas CASA offers CASA volunteers a customized Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI®) training developed by the Instituto Karyn Purvis para el Desarrollo Infantil at TCU, which the Department of Family and Protective Services recognizes as the trauma-informed intervention model in child welfare. This specialized training equips volunteers with tools to better understand children’s behaviors, build trust-based relationships, and respond with compassion and connection. 

As we enter the summer months, stay connected and informed about resources available to children and families in need across Texas. Some helpful statewide resources include: 

• Texas 2-1-1: Dial 211 or visit 211texas.org for access to food assistance, housing support, counseling services, and local community programs.   

• Summer Meal Programs: The Texas Department of Agriculture offers free summer meal sites for children and teens across the state. 

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Texas: Mental health education, support groups, and crisis resources for families and youth. 

• Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium: Access to pediatric mental health resources and telehealth support.

• Boys & Girls Clubs and local community centers: Safe summer programming, meals, mentorship, and enrichment activities for children and teens. 

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for immediate mental health and crisis support. 

Mental health awareness is not just a conversation for professionals or policymakers — it is something all of us must champion in our communities. By listening, advocating, supporting families, and speaking openly about mental health, we can help ensure that children in foster care feel seen, valued, and supported. 

Thank you for standing with Texas CASA and for helping create brighter, healthier futures for children across our state. 

With gratitude, 

Vicki Spriggs, CEO de Texas CASA