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Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) Experiences Dramatic Client Increase as
Economic Stress Extends Beyond Parents
ACS counselors observe links between economy and mental health of teenagers
PALO ALTO, Calif. -- Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS), a community-based nonprofit agency dedicated to the
healthy social and emotional development of teens, is witnessing the effects of the economy on the mental health of teenagers in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties firsthand. While recent media attention has focused on the effects of economic stress on adults and parents, ACS counselors have been working hard to meet the needs of a growing numberof adolescents and their families seeking free and affordable mental health services.
The On-Campus Counseling (OCC) Program, which provides free on-site counseling at 8 secondary schools in the area, has experienced a 26 percent increase in overall clients and a 58.8 percent increase in middle school clients over last year. Unsurprised by the figures, OCC Program Director Margaret Murchan said, “Younger teens are often more vulnerable to family stress because of their age and where they are in the development of coping skills.” While
circumstances such as unemployment or stay-at-home parents going back to work most directly affect the parents, “these situations change the balance of the family structure and influence the ways in which the needs of children and teenagers are met,” she said.
Substance abuse can also be significantly influenced by times of increased stress. The California Attorney General’s
latest survey of student drug and alcohol use revealed that three out of four high school juniors have tried alcohol or
drugs, with alcohol use most common, followed by marijuana and prescription painkillers, respectively. Brenda Stern, Program Director of the Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment (ASAT) Program at ACS, has witnessed this increase in prescription drug use during assessments conducted at the program’s office. “Many parents in this community are in denial that these numbers are reflective of teens in this area,” she said. With family stress levels so high, “parents may be more reluctant to enroll their children in treatment because the process requires an additional commitment in their already busy lives,” she added.
An even larger obstacle for many families in need of treatment is cost. “It’s unfortunate that mental health treatment is often most needed by families when they are the least capable of affording it,” explained ACS Executive Director, Dr. Philippe Rey. At the ASAT and Adolescent Counseling Programs, both of which offer services to the community at large on a sliding scale, the need and level of scholarship assistance have risen, increasing the demand for individual, corporate and foundation, as well as government funding, all of which have already or are likely to decrease in the coming year. “It’s a vicious circle that all non-profits are confronting during this time of economic uncertainty,” Dr. Rey said. “The need for free and affordable services is up, but the ability to fund those services is down. ACS is fortunate to have such broad community support that is allowing us to sustain our critical programs.” For more information about ACS, call (650) 424-0852, email info@acs-teens.org or visit ACS online at http://www.acs-teens.org.
*Figure refers only to clients served at the On-Campus Counseling Program.
About ACS
ACS’s mission is to empower teens and their families in our community to realize their emotional and social potential
through counseling and preventive education. Established in 1975, ACS relies on the generosity of the community to offer
critical interventions and mental health services to over 2,000 individuals annually, building a better future for tomorrow.
ACS offers year-round services to San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, including an On-Campus Counseling Program,
the Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Program, and the Adolescent Counseling Program.
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