Confronting The Youth Mental Health Crisis in Orange County: Insights from OCCF’s Family Foundation Alliance Event

Orange County’s family foundation leaders gathered for a powerful and timely discussion on the mental health crisis facing children and youth in communities across our nation and the world. Hosted by the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF), the program brought together top medical, nonprofit, and education leaders to share data, insights, and collaborative solutions aimed at early intervention and long-term impact.

This special event was designed for members of OCCF’s Family Foundation Alliance—a network of family foundation philanthropists who meet quarterly to deepen their understanding of the region’s most pressing issues and explore opportunities to drive meaningful change. Below is a detailed recap of the expert presentations and panel discussion.

Introduction

OCCF’s CEO Shelley Hoss opened the program with a heartfelt introduction, emphasizing that youth mental health is not just a clinical issue but a moral imperative for philanthropy. She positioned the event as an unparalleled opportunity for family foundations to learn from medical and community leaders about early intervention, treatment models, and how philanthropy can drive systemic solutions.

Dr. Maria Minon, a member of OCCF’s Board of Governors, offered a deeply personal and powerful account of the mental health crisis from her former tenure as Chief Medical Officer for CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County). She recounted the dire consequences of having no psychiatric beds in Orange County for children under 12, forcing young patients to remain in ERs or be transferred out of the county. She described her pivotal collaboration with CHOC leadership and Pastor Rick and Kay Warren, who catalyzed action after losing their son to suicide.

Dr. Minon spearheaded the development of Orange County’s first pediatric inpatient mental health unit for children ages 3–17, overcoming financial hurdles and systemic resistance. The resulting 18-bed facility, the Cherese Mari Laulhere Mental Health Inpatient Center, opened in 2018 and has since served thousands of children. Dr. Minon credited many local funders for their philanthropic leadership, calling it the most rewarding achievement of her career, second only to CHOC’s autism and neurodevelopmental center.

Keynote Overview

Dr. Heather Huszti, Chief Psychologist at CHOC, delivered a powerful keynote underscoring the urgency of addressing youth mental health in Orange County and beyond. She opened with striking data: 1 in 5 children face a diagnosable mental health disorder, yet two-thirds go untreated. At CHOC, crisis-level emergency visits have surged post-COVID, and suicide is now a leading cause of death among local youth. These aren’t isolated issues—they’re part of a growing, long-standing crisis.

Dr. Huszti emphasized that mental illness often begins in childhood, with symptoms appearing by age 14 in half of all cases. She highlighted the role of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in shaping long-term health outcomes, while reinforcing that early intervention can change the trajectory. CHOC’s mental health continuum, including inpatient care, outpatient therapy, and integrated primary care, is working—but more investment is needed.

Her call to action to funders was clear: prioritize prevention, support workforce development, and expand scalable models like WellSpaces in schools. With timely care, connection, and compassion, Dr. Huszti reminded attendees that healing is possible—and every child deserves the chance to thrive.

Panel Discussion Summary

The panel discussion, led by Dr. Heather Huszti, explored real-world barriers and solutions to youth mental health care in Orange County. Dr. Leigh Belhumeur of Western Youth Services emphasized the overwhelming demand for services and the importance of streamlined access through their “One Door, Any Door” model. Dr. Jeff Leyland highlighted how school districts are embedding social-emotional learning and WellSpaces to support students daily, while Dr. Chris Min stressed the need to screen children early in schools and pediatric settings—where they’re already showing up.

Panelists agreed that effective systems must be integrated, culturally competent, and rooted in relationships. The most promising models provide wraparound care for the whole family, embedded therapists in pediatric clinics, and train providers who reflect the community. Innovative programs like therapy dogs and mobile clinics were shared as examples of scalable, high-impact interventions, with philanthropy positioned as a critical driver in expanding and sustaining these efforts.

The panel urged funders to prioritize coordination, early access, and workforce development—especially bilingual and culturally aligned providers. For individuals, the panel shared practical advice: offer empathy, be a consistent caring presence, and connect families to resources like Western Youth Services. As Dr. Huszti noted, healing starts when a child feels seen, safe, and supported.

Closing

The program closed with Shelley Hoss inviting everyone to take a collective, purposeful breath—letting go of whatever burdens they weren’t meant to carry and carrying forward one key lesson or action. She emphasized the power of genuine connection, shared learning, and ongoing dialogue. Her final words were a call to keep momentum, to stay engaged, and to remember that every conversation, investment, and partnership moves us closer to a healthier future for Orange County’s children.

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