Recently, Phoenix House Texas was awarded a $100,000 grant by The Upswing Fund for Adolescent Mental Health. "We greatly appreciate the support of The Upswing Fund. This timely contribution will allow us to cast a wider net for providing effective treatment to uninsured and under-insured clients. Equally important, it will keep us on course to maintain our track record of successful treatment completion rates, well above the national average throughout the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Bart Loewen, CEO of Phoenix House Texas.

Drew Dutton, Chief Operations Officer at Phoenix House Texas, attributes the higher-than-normal treatment success rate to their proprietary I CAN model of treatment. "In its basic form, I CAN is positive experiential treatment that meets the adolescent brain where it is when a young person enters treatment. I CAN is individualized and is based on well-established research demonstrating that adolescents respond best to positive reinforcement. We help teens build better versions of themselves in the present," explains Dutton.

"The Upswing Fund has given us wings to expand our reach and provide life-saving services to more adolescents in the state of Texas. This is especially needed now during the pandemic," adds Loewen. Increased stress, such as we have experienced during the pandemic, can lead to increased alcohol and substance abuse. The National Council for Behavioral Health reported that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s mental health, particularly for young people, has created a 52% increase in demand for mental health and addiction treatment services. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), younger adults and racial/ethnic minorities have “experienced disproportionately worse mental health outcomes, increased substance use, and elevated suicidal ideation” as a result of COVID-19.

The Upswing Fund for Adolescent Mental Health is a collaborative fund seeded by Pivotal Ventures, an investment and incubation company created by Melinda Gates to advance social progress in the United States. Further support is provided by The Klarman Family Foundation. The Fund is advised by a renowned set of mental health experts with deep clinical and research expertise and a passion to support youth and communities. The Fund is powered by Panorama, a platform for social change dedicated to solving global problems through audacious thinking and bold action. Click here for video.

Phoenix House Texas is a Texas-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission of being passionate about healing Texas-based individuals, families, and communities challenged by substance use disorders and related mental health conditions. Phoenix House Texas celebrates 26 years of helping Texans live extraordinary lives in recovery.