The youth mental health crisis

U.S. children and teens have struggled with increasing rates of depression, anxiety and suicidal behavior for much of the past decade. With the losses and disruptions of COVID-19, the onslaught of social media and escalating gun violence, the youth mental health crisis has exploded. The American Academy of Pediatrics has declared it a national emergency, and the U.S Surgeon General has issued a public health advisory calling for a comprehensive, coordinated response to the needs of young people. More than one in three high school students experienced poor mental health during the pandemic, and nearly half report persistently feeling sad or hopeless. Racial trauma, discrimination, hostility and barriers to care have compounded the struggles for young people of color, especially Black children and LGBTQ+ youth. Counseling, outpatient therapy, hospital beds and residential facilities for children and youth are in severely short supply. In this webinar, we’ll explore the systemic causes and policy failures that have accelerated the crisis and its inequitable impact, as well as promising community-driven approaches and evidence-based practices. The webinar will provide fresh ideas for reporting on the mental health of youth and investigating the systems and services.