May 4, 2026 Media Contact: Bryan Hooten, 804-807-1727, bryan.hooten@vdh.virginia.gov
Richmond City Health District Highlights Adolescent Health Services
May is National Adolescent Health Month
RICHMOND, Va. – Richmond City Health District (RCHD), part of Richmond and Henrico Health Districts (RHHD) recognizes National Adolescent Health Month by highlighting services and programs that support the health and well-being of Richmond youth. National Adolescent Health Month creates a space for adults to come together and learn more about ways they can best support our youth. If you’re an adult looking for a guide for action steps that you can take, the U.S Department of Human Services has a great resource called Take Action for Adolescents: A Call to Action for Adolescent Health and Well-Being.
“Through technology and social media, our youth face online predators, cyberbullying, and self-confidence issues,” said Richmond and Henrico Health District Adolescent Health Coordinator Cindy Pulido. “We, as adults, must be sensitive to these mental health challenges and equip ourselves with tools to help. Taking care of our youth means more than meeting their basic needs—it means showing them respect, empathy, and compassion.
RCHD Adolescent Health
The RCHD Adolescent Health Team works with Richmond youth ages 12 to19 through partnerships with local non-profits, middle and high schools, foster care programs and other organizations. The team helps equip youth with information, support, and connections that promote healthier outcomes.
- Services include health education on the topics affecting our Richmond youth, including:
- Substance Use Disorder
- Mental Health
- Violence Prevention
- The team also helps connect youth to community resources, including:
- Free from Tobacco
- Trauma Healing and Response Network
- REVIVE! Training for responding to opioid overdose
For more information on the Adolescent Health Program and to explore opportunities for collaboration, please email RHHD Adolescent Health Coordinator at cindy.pulido@vdh.virginia.gov.
As featured in the RHHD 2025 Annual Report, the Adolescent Health team delivered evidence-based education to students across three Richmond high schools in 2025, including:
- 17 lunch-and-learns
- 80 health education sessions, including:
- 34 on the dangers of nicotine
- 26 on mental health
- 18 on the effects of cannabis
- 2 on the dangers of fentanyl
Visit rhhd.gov for more health and safety information. Follow RHHD on Instagram (@richmondcity_hd) and Facebook.
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