Friends of Youth in Kirkland has been awarded $75,000 by Premera Blue Cross through its Premera Social Impact program.

According to a Premera release, the grant will go toward supporting children with behavioral problems through parent-child interaction therapy, including increasing pro-social behaviors and self-esteem in children, reducing parent frustration and strengthening parent-child bonds.

The grant is part of a total of $595,000 in grants made to six nonprofit organizations across Washington to support behavioral health solutions, particularly in under-served communities, the release states.

According to studies by the National Institute of Mental Health, about one in five adults in the United States experiences mental illness in a given year, and about one in five youths aged 13-18 have experienced a severe mental disorder at some point during their life.

“Behavioral health is an issue we all need to address together by reducing the stigma around the conditions and providing access to care,” said Paul Hollie, who leads Premera Social Impact, in the release. “These programs strive to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families in their communities.”

In 2018, Premera Social Impact awarded more than $9.5 million in grants and sponsorships in Washington and Alaska.