Although many factors contribute to child health, the current national mental health crisis demands an immediate statewide response. The work of the Hassenfeld Institute focuses on community-based initiatives that address community-level drivers of mental health, prevention programs for families at risk for mental illness, and programs for those already living with behavioral health issues. 

Critical to these programs are equipping primary care providers with the means to better address common mental health concerns, such as anxiety, ADHD, and depression; caring for children with complex needs as they transition to adulthood; and supporting parents in the context of their own challenges, such as trauma and addiction.