By Alonya “Rocky” Jones
My favorite question asked to me when I was young was, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” The longer I experience the world the more I realize, I want to be healthy. This isn’t just a want, it’s a need.
Health and well-being extend far beyond doctor’s appointments. For youth who’ve experienced foster care, becoming healthy requires support across every part of their lives. The word healthy is mainly associated with physical health, but health should also be measured in terms of mental and social. Each of these are key components to a youth experiencing care and their overall well-being and these components are only as strong as their weakest point. When we discuss “health” for young people who have experienced foster care, we are really talking about the interconnected systems that shape their ability to thrive, even when trauma may come to light. In order implement a healthy support system for these young people we must familiarize ourselves with holistic health. This is a great approach to simultaneously address the physical, mental, and social well-being of an individual.
For many young people in foster care, trauma is a part of their story. Experiences such as abuse, neglect, sudden separation or years of instability can deeply affect social, emotional, and physical health. A study was released in 2020 by researchers in Hong Kong measuring how housing instability effects an individual’s holistic health. They found that people facing housing issues are far more unhealthy and more likely to be unstable in the future. This study was completed on individuals 18 years of age and older. Many young people experience trauma far younger than 18 with minimal wrap around support. Unresolved trauma can change the way the brain processes emotions, and it can also affect the body leading to sleep challenges, weakened immune functioning, chronic stress responses, and difficulty regulating. When a young person feels unsafe or unsupported emotionally, it becomes much harder for them to stay well physically. This is why holistic care is not optional, it is essential.
Although essential, the systems designed to support youth in care often focus on one piece of the puzzle at a time. Youth might receive physical health services without access to consistent therapy, or they might receive mental health services without the supportive relationships needed to feel secure. Holistic health means recognizing that these areas are inseparable. A young person cannot meaningfully heal mentally if they feel unsafe where they sleep. They cannot develop emotional stability without supportive adults they trust. And they cannot maintain physical health if their mental health needs are ignored. Each piece affects the others, shaping the overall experience of well-being. These challenges grow even more complex once youth age out of foster care. Many lose access to regular healthcare, therapy, and the adults who once helped them make decisions or navigate difficult situations. Without stable housing, consistent meals, or access to medical care, physical health can decline quickly.
Unresolved trauma can intensify when young adults suddenly find themselves navigating the world alone. The stress of meeting basic needs like finding a job, securing transportation, or managing finances often leaves little room for focusing on wellness. For too many, health becomes a low priority simply because survival comes first. Holistic support must address these realities. This means ensuring youth have access to mental health services, trauma-informed care, and physical health resources. It also means building the life skills and community connections that make well-being sustainable. Teaching youth how to cook nutritious meals, manage stress, budget for healthcare, advocate for their needs, and build supportive relationships contributes directly to long-term health. Equally important is giving young people voice and choice in their care.
Health and well-being in care is not one service or one solution, it’s a network of supports that surround a young person with consistency, compassion, and opportunity. When we care for the whole person, we give foster youth the foundation they need to grow into healthy, confident adults and when we extend that holistic support beyond aging out, we show them that their well-being matters long after the system steps back.
Alonya “Rocky” Jones is an Assistant with Strong Able Youth Speaking Out (SaySo), part of the Children’s Home Society of NC
Upcoming SaySo Events:
SaySo Saturday – March 7th Raleigh, NC
SaySo Summit – May 16th in Charlotte, NC
Click here for more information about these events and SaySo.
