Community Health Awareness for Adolescents and Teens (CHAAT)

Nick S. Raczek

Nick S. Raczek, MS, LPC, is the CHAAT Clinic Administrator. In 2023, The Center for Health Care Services determined a need for increased outreach to local adolescents, their families, and educators around common topics affecting today's adolescents and teens.


In August 2024, The Center received a $1.2M Supporting Mental Health and Resiliency in Texans (SMART) Innovation Grant from Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) to stand up the Community Health Awareness for Adolescents and Teens (CHAAT). This innovative program focuses on children aged 11 to 17, encouraging resiliency, coping, and social skills. It also helps children develop healthy habits and improve social and family relationships.


After two years of setting a foundation in Bexar County and establishing partnerships with local school districts and nonprofits, CHAAT has presented to over 2,000 Bexar County community members since November 2024. CHAAT continues to visit schools and talk to students, staff, and parents about pressing topics like social media. Besides schools, CHAAT also provides educational presentations at the Department of Family Protective Services, Valero, USAA, ChildSafe, church groups, alternative schools, or schools focused on recovery.

Children’s mental health is directly affected by social media and tech use, and they are particularly vulnerable when gaming online or using social media. Since 2020, suicide rates have increased by about 30% in Bexar County, and there is a higher chance of children being sex-trafficked or groomed for abuse. 


These days, we are seeing bullying in other forms, such as doxing. Doxing is a form of cyberbullying that uses sensitive or secret information for the harassment, exposure or other exploitation of a child. The child often does not know the person who is doxing them. CHAAT works with organizations like Ransomed Life and David's Legacy to educate parents and children to decrease online time and teach them to stay safe online.

Two-week camp and no phones allowed

CHAAT spoke to nearly 800 kids last fiscal year; that number is over 2,300 this year. In July 2025, CHAAT also offered a two-week, half-day camp where no phones were allowed. Removing phones from the camp day allowed kids to be more present and focus on what is going on around them.


CHAAT took camp kids on day trips to visit the San Antonio Zoo and the San Antonio Botanical Gardens so that they could focus on being present and enjoying nature and things outside of technology. The camp also focused on sessions on anger management and coping skills, and guest speakers to discuss safe online behavior.


Children are suffering in silence due to many of the problems created online. CHAAT hopes they can continue sharing common topics affecting today's adolescents and teens to equip them with tools and strategies to build resiliency and stay safe. 

What's next? CHAAT will share more information soon on MIND Court, whose mission is to end involvement in the juvenile justice system for boys with mental health needs. For more information, click here to download the CHAAT flyer or email CHAAT@chcsbc.org.