Providence provides free behavioral health program for teens

Teens in Spokane’s east central neighborhood are learning about mental health and develop practical coping skills this summer thanks to a unique Providence program. 

Providence is partnering with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center to host the behavioral health outreach program, which runs every Wednesday until Aug. 30.

Providence therapists from the BEST and RISE programs who specialize in working with children and teens lead activities to help participants develop new skills, create connections and have fun. 

"Health care services don't always reach people equally, so Providence is really working to seek out partnerships with populations that can benefit from programs like this where we get to talk about mental health and behavioral health," said Rebecca Partlow, Providence BEST Program behavioral health therapist, in a story with KXLY 4 News Now.

This marks the second year that Providence has collaborated with the community outreach center for summer behavioral health resources. 

“They love hands-on activities, so that helps a lot. The topic of mental health can be boring if you're just sitting there, but it's a combination of hands on and information that they're receiving. It works," said Freda Gandy, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center executive director. 

This is part of Providence’s much larger health equity efforts to address health disparities in historically underserved neighborhoods, which includes funding a full-time community health worker at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. 

This work is possible because of the close relationships Providence has built with local organizations, including the MLK Center. We rely on the recommendations of organizations we partner with to understand what services are needed for a specific community and how best to address those needs. 

Learn more about Providence’s commitment to health equity by visiting us online.