The Problem

The CDC reports that 1 in 5 adolescents experience a mental health disorder each year — that’s approximately 8.4 million youth across the U.S. Yet, only 20% of those adolescents receive care from a mental health professional.

In Baltimore City, an estimated 10,000 youth are not receiving the mental health support or coping tools they need to manage stress and reach their full potential.

In Washington, D.C., nearly 3,000 adolescents aged 12–17 experience major depressive episodes annually, and more than a third receive no treatment at all.

Together, these numbers reveal the mental health crisis facing youth across both cities, especially in underserved communities where resources are limited and stigma remains high.

In underserved communities, the challenges are even greater:

  • Limited resources

  • Persistent stigma around mental health

  • Cultural norms that discourage help-seeking

These barriers leave many youth without healthy ways to process stress, build emotional resilience, or access early intervention.

The Long-Term Impact

Without access to proactive support, youth may experience:

  • Poor school performance

  • Risky behaviors, including substance use

  • Higher dropout rates

  • Long-term mental health struggles

  • Lower lifetime income and shorter life expectancy

This cycle contributes to systemic inequities in health, education, and wealth that continue into adulthood.

Why Current Interventions Fall Short

Most mental health services are:

  • Reactive — They step in only after a crisis.

  • Culturally out of touch — They don’t address the lived experiences of BIPOC youth.

  • Unable to shift stigma — They fail to reshape the harmful beliefs that prevent youth from seeking help.

Our Solution

At Positively Caviar, Inc., we don’t aim to replace traditional mental health services — we complement them with a preventive, uplifting, and culturally relevant approach.

Instead of framing mental health as a “problem,” we highlight it as a strength.

Our workshops are safe, welcoming spaces that normalize emotional expression and teach youth how to care for their mental well-being.

What We Offer

  1. Prevention

    We equip youth with proactive tools and evidence-based strategies rooted in positive psychology. These techniques help them build resilience, regulate emotions, and navigate life’s challenges, reducing the likelihood of long-term mental health issues.

  2. Accessibility

    Our programs meet youth where they are — in schools, community centers, and partner organizations. We create fun, engaging, and culturally affirming environments that make mental wellness approachable.

  3. Stigma Reduction

    Through peer connection, open dialogue, and positive psychology techniques, our workshops dismantle harmful stigmas and create space for healing, self-expression, and growth.