Idaho Panelists Highlight Mental Health Struggles Among Youth

Experts discuss barriers to care and call for community-based solutions to support struggling kids.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 7:04pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray photograph of a young person's brain, with glowing neural pathways and structures, against a dark background, conceptually representing the need for greater understanding and support for youth mental health.An X-ray view into the mind of an Idaho youth, revealing the complex neural structures underlying mental health challenges that require community-driven solutions.Boise Today

A panel discussion hosted by the City Club of Boise brought together experts to address the mental health crisis facing Idaho's youth. Panelists emphasized the need for more licensed mental health professionals, increased funding for behavioral health services, and community-driven efforts to create environments that better support young people's wellbeing.

Why it matters

The discussion highlighted the significant challenges Idaho youth are facing with their mental health, including higher rates of suicide attempts among LGBTQ+ youth and disparities in access to care for youth of color. Panelists argued that state policies, such as a recent law requiring parental notification of a student's gender identity exploration, are exacerbating the problem by creating barriers for young people to seek help.

The details

The panelists included Janelle Stauffer, a therapist and social worker, Megan Smith, a public health professor at Boise State University, and Juliet Charron, the director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. They discussed the need to strengthen the pipeline of licensed mental health professionals, support graduate programs in psychiatry, and continue funding for behavioral health services. The panelists also emphasized the importance of creating more inclusive and supportive communities for young people, rather than taking a 'corrective' approach.

  • The panel discussion took place on Tuesday, April 15, 2026.

The players

Janelle Stauffer

A therapist and social worker with The Resiliency Center of Idaho who expressed concerns about the impact of state policies on LGBTQ+ youth and youth of color.

Megan Smith

A public health professor at Boise State University who spoke about the need for community-driven efforts to address the factors contributing to youth mental health challenges.

Juliet Charron

The director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, who discussed the state's efforts to address the shortage of licensed mental health professionals and support services for youth.

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What they’re saying

“Kids are struggling, for sure, and so I'm going to say they are not OK right now.”

— Janelle Stauffer, Therapist and social worker

“With just the right support, they are going to figure this out.”

— Janelle Stauffer, Therapist and social worker

“We can create communities that are just better for kids. So we don't have to keep being in crisis. So we don't have to keep bailing ourselves out.”

— Megan Smith, Public health professor

What’s next

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare plans to continue working on strengthening the pipeline of licensed mental health professionals and supporting graduate medical education programs focused on psychiatry. The state will also aim to maintain funding for behavioral health services for youth and adults.

The takeaway

The panel discussion highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive, community-based approach to addressing the mental health crisis facing Idaho's youth. Experts called for increased access to mental health resources, greater support for LGBTQ+ and minority youth, and a shift in mindset from a 'corrective' to a 'curious' approach that prioritizes creating environments where young people can thrive.