(Source: black voice news)
The recently released Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted decreases among the percentage of Black and Hispanic students who had suicidal thoughts or who attempted or considered attempting suicide between 2021 and 2023. (cdc.gov)
Overview: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report found improvements in youth mental health from 2021 to 2023, including a decrease in the percentage of students who experienced persistent feelings of sadness. However, the report also highlighted concerns about racism, unfair discipline, and mental health issues among LGBTQ+ students. The state of California has launched a Master Plan for Kid’s Mental Health, which includes two free mental health apps, BrightLife Kids and Soluna, and several support groups, programs, and tools for youth who are struggling with their mental health.
Breanna Reeves
As concerns about youth mental health continue to grow, a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report found that there have been some improvements in youth mental health over the last few years.
According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report, from 2021 to 2023, there was a decrease in the percentage of students overall who experienced persistent feelings of sadness. The report also examined students’ experiences in 2023 and trends from 2013-2023.
The reported highlighted decreases among the percentage of Black and Hispanic students who had suicidal thoughts or who attempted or considered attempting suicide between 2021 and 2023. Specifically, there were decreases in the percentage of Black students who attempted suicide, from 14% to 10%, and who were injured in a suicide attempt from 4% to 2%.
Although we could be doing better with increasing mental health resources for our youth, there have been more mental health conversations happening, so some of our youth are starting to become more comfortable with discussing mental health and being open about it. We potentially could be seeing some improvements because of that,” explained Heylee Barriola Chagzoetsang, assistant program director of the Teen Line, a program of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services.
As local and state agencies work to address the youth mental health crisis, several resources such as the Teen Line have been developed to support youth with their mental health. The Teen Line is a free hotline that connects youth with trained teen “listeners” with peer support and mental health resources. According to Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, in 2023, teen listeners responded to more than 6,400 calls, texts and emails from youth across the U.S. and the world.
Although the report noted improvements in youth mental health, there were other issues that impacted students according to survey findings. Findings from the 2023 survey found that nearly a third of students reported that they had ever experienced racism in school, with Asian students more likely to report ever experiencing racism than other groups.
Additionally, almost one in five students reported being unfairly disciplined at school, with Black students more likely than white and Hispanic students to report being unfairly disciplined.
“These data show that we’ve made some progress in tackling these issues in recent years, which proves that they are not insurmountable. However, there’s still much work ahead,” said CDC Division of Adolescent and School Health Director Dr. Kathleen Ethier in a press release. “Considering the vital role schools play in promoting health and well-being, it is critical to address school-based violence and safety concerns.”
In 2023, more than three in five LGBTQ+ students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. One in five LGBTQ+ students attempted suicide during the past year.
Chagzoetsang attributed these rates to stigma, discrimination, potential family rejection and limited access to mental health care among LGBTQ+ students. She addressed the needs for schools and communities to create a safe space for youth to “mitigate some of the negative effects” on the mental health of youth.
Across the state, Gov. Gavin Newsom has launched a Master Plan for Kid’s Mental Health. Earlier this year, the state launched two free mental health apps called BrightLife Kids and Soluna which grant youth access to one-on-one video sessions, coaching, secure chat and other tools.
Additionally, there are several Inland Empire-based support groups, programs and tools for youth who are struggling with their mental health:
Is a program of Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, is a free resource for teens. Teens can contact Teen Line by phone (800-852-8336), text (text TEEN to 839863) or email via the website. Calls are accepted from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and texts are answered from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (PST).
National Alliance on Mental Illness
(NAMI) Inland Valley is a nonprofit organization of families and individuals whose lives have been affected by mental illness, and connects people with resources.
ROWI Teen is a teen mental health center across Southern California that supports teens ages 12-18 and their families to “promote positive emotional and behavioral health.”
This organization provides emergency shelter, intervention and outreach services to runaway, homeless or other youth in crisis. They also offer street outreach and have a 24-hour Crisis Line (800-561-6944).
This is a nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ youth in the Inland Empire. They provide “a safe space for young people to meet, make friends and participate in various weekly events and activities.”
Transgender Health & Wellness Center
This center is one of the largest transgender organization in the Inland Empire, who serve the needs of transgender, gender diverse, and intersex (TGI) communities with services such as HIV/AIDS education, housing and free one-on-one therapy sessions.
This organization is a safe space for residents throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties and promotes the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals.
PFLAG is the nation’s largest organization “dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them.” They have a chapter in Riverside.
This 24-hour crisis hotline is available for those who need crisis counseling. Individuals can call or text 988 at all hours, every day, for free across the U.S, or visit chat via the website.
