National program for mental health

Albert+Garcia+still+hears+the+voices+and+knows+what+its+like+to+grapple+with+a+crippling+psychosis.+But%2C+at+age+57%2C+he+has+his+disease+under+control%2C+and+he+will+be+a+key+player+-+a+peer+support+counselor+-+as+four+Minnesota+counties+roll+out+a+new+strategy+to+expand+mental+health+care+for+adolescents%2C+prevent+psychiatric+crises%2C+and+keep+teens+out+of+institutional+care.+The+program%2C+known+as+ACT%2C+is+widely+used+for+adults+in+Minnesota+and+other+states%2C+but+is+now+being+expanded+to+teens+at+a+time+when+the+state+faces+severe+shortages+of+psychiatric+care+for+young+adults.+%28Bruce+Bisping%2FMinneapolis+Star+Tribune%2FMCT%29.

Albert Garcia still hears the voices and knows what it’s like to grapple with a crippling psychosis. But, at age 57, he has his disease under control, and he will be a key player – a “peer support” counselor – as four Minnesota counties roll out a new strategy to expand mental health care for adolescents, prevent psychiatric crises, and keep teens out of institutional care. The program, known as ACT, is widely used for adults in Minnesota and other states, but is now being expanded to teens at a time when the state faces severe shortages of psychiatric care for young adults. (Bruce Bisping/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT).

Renee C. Byer

Albert Garcia still hears the voices and knows what it’s like to grapple with a crippling psychosis. But, at age 57, he has his disease under control, and he will be a key player – a “peer support” counselor – as four Minnesota counties roll out a new strategy to expand mental health care for adolescents, prevent psychiatric crises, and keep teens out of institutional care. The program, known as ACT, is widely used for adults in Minnesota and other states, but is now being expanded to teens at a time when the state faces severe shortages of psychiatric care for young adults. (Bruce Bisping/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT).