HeartLand Child & Family Services has been serving the mental health needs of children and adolescents in Sacramento for more than 40 years. “Our methods may have evolved over time as evidenced-based practices have improved mental health outcomes,” says Jeff Wilkinson, CEO, “but our commitment to doing whatever it takes for our community has never wavered. It is every bit as strong as the day we first opened our doors.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser Permanente’s “Adverse Childhood Experiences Study,” abuse and neglect during childhood have been demonstrated to have negative impacts during adulthood, often leading to decreases in overall health, well-being and even lifespan. “Our mission is to be available to children and families who experience traumatic events — to help them cultivate resiliency and wellness and to empower them to meet life challenges with strength and confidence,” says Deborah Hicks, licensed clinical social worker and HeartLand coclinical director. “We’re here to help lessen the lasting effects of adverse childhood experiences on those we serve.”

Stigma surrounding issues of mental health remains a problem in the region. “We’ve found a reluctance to ask for assistance,” says Todd Palumbo, licensed marriage and family therapist and coclinical director. “One of HeartLand’s main goals is to be a strong advocate to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness so more of those in need will seek out the help they deserve.”

HeartLand is developing a smartphone app that will allow youth to engage a mental health provider by audio or video conference after business hours when adolescents, in particular, struggle with depression and self-harm. “I’m proud to say that all development costs associated with our Heart-to-Heart Youth in Crisis Support App have been funded internally by staff donations,” says Wilkinson. “We hope to find broader donor support to roll this program out to the entire Sacramento region and beyond.”