Johanna Bergan on Why Engaging with Youth is Key for their Mental Health
Johanna Bergan, founder and former executive director of Youth MOVE National, is a passionate advocate for youth mental health and the importance of provider engagement. In her keynote as the 8th Annual Stockman Lecturer at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference, Johanna shared how supportive clinicians shaped her own mental health journey and emphasized that young people want and need healthcare providers to initiate open, respectful conversations about emotional well-being.
Pictured: Johanna Bergan with her daughter, Margret, and son, James
“It is more than okay to talk about mental health with your young patients. In fact, it is exactly what they want and need.”
Seeking mental health support can be overwhelming for children, youth, and families. Even as awareness grows and we recognize that we are living in a youth mental health crisis, far too many barriers still stand in the way of getting help.
Whether it’s stigma, a lack of resources, or simply not knowing how or where to begin, these barriers make it incredibly difficult for families to access the emotional health support they deserve.
In my own journey, which started in early adolescence and continues today, I’ve experienced moments of shame that kept me from asking for the help I needed. I often questioned whether someone else might need support more than I did and wondered if that meant I shouldn’t speak up. There were times I hesitated to talk about my mental health diagnoses when seeking care for my physical health. I know I’m not alone in feeling this way.
Having a compassionate healthcare provider open the door to conversations about mental health is a true gift. The Roadmap for Emotional Health Project equips clinical teams with the tools they need to partner with children and families, sending the message that yes, emotional health matters and we can address it together.
One of the things I’m most proud of is how Roadmap centers voices of lived experience. This commitment reflects the importance of placing the needs and perspectives of youth and families at the heart of their care.
Thank you to The Roadmap for Emotional Health Project for working to ensure that both mental and physical health care are wrapped around our families.