May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and there’s no better time to spotlight the importance of youth mental health and the supportive services available in our own community.
As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and founder of the new Northern Lights Psychiatry in Park Rapids, I’m honored to provide both psychotherapy and medication management services locally. I’m also proud to serve as a board member and volunteer at Youth Emergency Shelter & Supports (YESS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting youth in the Park Rapids area and surrounding communities.
YESS operates a drop-in center at 600 Park Avenue North (Suite A) in Park Rapids that offers a safe and welcoming space for youth ages 13-24. Open Monday through Friday from 2:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., the center provides hot meals, access to a food pantry, clothing closet, hygiene and cleaning products, gift cards and city bus passes. Our goal is to meet immediate needs, while helping youth build pathways to a healthier future.
YESS takes an upstream approach to mental health, working to prevent crises before they happen. Research shows that early access to support services significantly reduces the risk of mental health deterioration, substance use, housing instability and involvement in the criminal justice system.
According to Wilder Research, over 6,000 youth experience homelessness on any given night in Minnesota. In Hubbard County alone, many teens face housing insecurity or live in unstable conditions – not because of any failure on their part, but due to circumstances beyond their control. These challenges transcend economic status or political beliefs and could happen to anyone.
That’s why services like YESS are critical. In addition to material support, we also help youth connect with community resources, attend wellness events and build positive relationships with mentors.
Our volunteers and board members stay active in the community, attending networking events to stay current with available services. This connectedness helps us better support the youth who walk through our doors.
We also host engaging activities to foster community and joy. In recent months, we’ve offered a painting class with local artist Nate Luetgers and even a pizza-eating contest that brought youth and community members together. Coming up, we’re excited to host a teen dance during the Hubbard County Fair on July 19.
Our center is powered by passionate volunteers, and we are always looking for more hands and hearts. If you’d like to support YESS through volunteering, donations or services, please reach out to our Executive Director Kori Nelson at 218-831-2420. Together, we can uplift the youth of Park Rapids, Osage, Ponsford, Lake George, Laporte, Akeley, Nevis, Menahga and beyond.
Every young person deserves safety, support, and the chance to thrive – and in Park Rapids, we’re working every day to make that a reality.
