A first-of-its-kind collaboration between clinical practitioners and public school educators aims to slow an alarming trend: A dramatic rise in youth mental health disorders over the past decade with cases steadily climbing among younger age groups.
Traverse Academy opened on Oct. 23 in the Cherry Creek School District, marking a unique partnership with mental health experts from the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Traverse Academy will serve students ages 10 to 18 with highly impairing mental health conditions ranging from anxiety and depression to suicidal ideations and post-traumatic stress disorder. Students will receive nine hours of therapy each week, in addition to academic, social and emotional skills to help them integrate back into regular public school.
Sarah Kennedy, PhD, an associate professor of psychiatry and interim clinical director at Traverse Academy, explains why Traverse is different from similar programs. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.