Maine Youth Mental Health Support Gets Boost; Student Mental Health Conference in Boston; Mental Wellness Art Contest in NH; Bid for Medicaid Reform in CT
MaineHealth launches $1.6M program to support youth mental health
MaineHealth is launching a $1.6 million initiative to expand mental health support for students across the state. The program will increase after-school programming and provide mental health first aid training in several school districts, aiming to help students identify and respond to emotional or behavioral challenges.
Schools and community partners will collaborate to implement the program, and educators and staff will receive training to recognize early signs of stress, anxiety, or depression. Officials say the initiative emphasizes early intervention and connecting students with available resources.
The program is part of broader efforts to address mental health challenges among children and teens, particularly in the years following the pandemic. Organizers hope the project will provide consistent, community-based support, improve awareness of available services, and create safer school environments where students can access help when needed.
Boston to host K‑12 conference on student mental well-being
Boston will host the School Mental Health: Treating Students K‑12 conference on February 6-7, 2026, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza. The conference is intended for educators, school counselors, and administrators, offering professional development focused on supporting mental health in K‑12 students.
Attendees will participate in sessions covering how to identify early signs of stress, anxiety, or behavioral difficulties and implement school-wide approaches to promote emotional well-being.
The program features a mix of workshops, lectures, and case studies, with topics including trauma-informed teaching, social-emotional learning, autism, play therapy, and culturally responsive practices for diverse student populations, including immigrant students.
Participants will also explore strategies for involving families and communities in supporting student mental health.
The event is organized by Cambridge Health Alliance, affiliated with Harvard Medical School. It hopes to provide school professionals with practical guidance and tools to improve access to mental health resources and create supportive learning environments throughout Massachusetts.
NH youth art contest focuses on mental wellness
The New Hampshire Children’s System of Care is accepting submissions for the eighth annual Magnify Voices Expressive Art Contest, open to students in grades 5 through 12 until April 26, 2026.
The contest invites youth to share original creative work expressing their experiences with mental health, including visual art, photography, sculpture, essays, poetry, short videos, songs, or performances of two minutes or less.
Twelve finalists will be selected by a panel of judges, including youth, and announced at a public celebration on May 27 at Kingswood Art Center in Wolfeboro.
Each finalist will receive a $250 cash prize, and a People’s Choice winner will also be chosen and awarded. Organizers say the program is designed to elevate youth voices, reduce stigma, and raise awareness of mental health resources.
Submissions will be featured in exhibits across the state to continue promoting conversation about emotional well-being and encouraging peer support among New Hampshire youth.
CT comptroller calls for Medicaid reforms to protect services
Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon is urging reforms to Medicaid to prevent potential disruptions to health and behavioral services. In an opinion piece, Scanlon highlighted concerns about the program’s sustainability and its impact on low-income residents who rely on mental health care.
He called on policymakers to stabilize funding and streamline services to ensure clinics, hospitals, and community providers can continue delivering care. Behavioral health advocates note that reductions in coverage or funding could particularly affect vulnerable populations, including children and people with chronic conditions.
Scanlon emphasized that maintaining Medicaid support is crucial for access to essential services and to prevent more costly health crises in the future.
The comptroller’s call comes amid national discussions about public health, behavioral health access, and fiscal responsibility, highlighting the ongoing challenges states face in balancing budgets while meeting the healthcare needs of their residents.