Providing comprehensive support services to youth with mental illnesses transitioning into adulthood is critical to their success. Many youth age out of children’s services without any transitional planning and lack skills necessary to manage their illnesses and accomplish their goals. These youth face the challenge of entering adulthood without proper services and support.

Prevalence

• More than 3 million transition age youth have been diagnosed with a Serious Mental Illness.
• Adolescents transitioning to adulthood with a Serious Mental Illness are three times more likely to be involved in criminal activity than adolescents without an illness.
• Incarcerated youth age 18-22 are more likely to have a mental illness than younger adolescents in the juvenile justice system.
• Transitional age youth with a Serious Mental Illness have higher rates of substance abuse than any other age groups with mental illness.
• Rates of Serious Mental Illness are highest among young adults age 18, and rates decrease for each year thereafter.

Unmet Needs and Consequences

• Education and Employment. Young adults with a Serious Mental Illness face many challenges when transitioning from school to adulthood. Over 60 percent of young adults with a Serious Mental Illness are unable to complete high school. These young adults are often unemployed, unable to participate in continuing education, and lack successful skills necessary for independent living.
• Increased Risk of Suicide. An estimated 20 percent of youth receiving treatment for emotional or behavioral problems have either contemplated suicide or attempted suicide. Less than 40 percent of youth at risk of suicide receive treatment. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young adults age 15 to 24.

Effective Services

• Individualized Services. Youth in transition need services that assist them in employment, housing, and education. Research shows that these services are most effective when they are tailored to meet the goals of each young person. Services and supports also need to be developmentally appropriate in order to build on the strengths of youth in transition.
• Personal Responsibility and Parental Support. Services are most effective when youth are able to develop problem-solving skills and learn to experience consequences through their decisions. Parental involvement is key in guaranteeing that youth have a safety net of support.