Designed by and for youth, allcove™️ is a health and support network located at 2741 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto. Working with a variety of mental and physical wellness organizations, allcove aims to create a safe space for youth.
allcove offers a wide range of services that support mental health, physical health, sexual health, education, employment, and healthy social networking. Young people ages 12 to 25 with mild to moderate needs can access its services at little to no cost.
According to the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, half of adolescents have met the criteria for a mental disorder at some point, yet 79% do not seek care. According to Harvard Medical School, one reason behind the reluctance to reach out for help could be the stigma surrounding mental illness. Another could be the lack of a system that offers intervention quickly and confidentially. The stigma that surrounds treating mental illnesses at a young age only increases in adulthood, which means that supporting youth with mental illnesses is particularly important.
Visiting allcove is a simple process. In the first appointment, clients complete a questionnaire and have a conversation with an allcove member to come up with a plan tailored to their needs. Clients do not need a referral for service, and the majority of services do not require parental or guardian consent. All information shared with an allcove team member will be kept confidential unless an allcove team member is concerned about someone’s safety.
allcove’s team is operated by a lead agency alongside other community agencies that provide staff and services. The team includes physical and mental health professionals, nurses, substance use clinicians, counselors, and many others. It provides physical health services in English, Spanish, and Tagalog, and mental health support in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
allcove currently has centers in Redondo Beach and Palo Alto. Centers in Sacramento, San Mateo, and South Orange County are in development.
Aside from physical and mental health support, allcove also offers game nights, movie nights, educational workshops, open mic days, guitar lessons, art workshops, and discussions about maintaining good health including sleep, managing anxiety, and planning for the future.
Clients can schedule an appointment at the Palo Alto allcove center by calling (650) 798-6330 or visit during “drop-in hours.” allcove is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
