Utah nonprofits, medical professionals, and schools respond to CDC report and combating youth mental health crisis – Cache Valley Daily

FILE PHOTO: anxious girl. Photo by Joice Kelly on Unsplash

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has released a report titled “Youth Risk Behavior“, which sheds light on the mental health crisis among the youth giving more details for school districts, parents, licensed medical professionals, and other vested nonprofits. According to the report, more than 40% of high school students feel so sad or hopeless that they cannot engage in their regular activities for at least two weeks during the previous year, which could indicate symptoms of depression. The report also reveals that female teenagers are more vulnerable to violence, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts. However, the report offers some hope, stating that schools can play a vital role in improving the wellbeing of young people.

Nonprofit organization Cook Center for Human Connection (CCHC) and licensed therapists from ParentGuidance.org have responded to the report by calling for a safe environment for youth to express their concerns and the need for parents and adults to connect with them. CCHC and ParentGuidance.org offer resources and tools to help schools, parents, and students address mental health concerns. Schools across the country are utilizing the free resources, such as “Calm Room” grants, to address and monitor the needs of their students.

The National Association of Superintendents (ASSA)’s Mental Health Cohort, co-sponsored by CCHC, is working to establish best practices to address the mental health crisis in schools. The group is meeting at the organization’s national conference in San Antonio, Texas.

Therapists have found that 50% of parents worry their child is struggling, but don’t know what to do; 32% of parents feel their child is unhappy; and, an estimated 10-20% of adolescents globally experience mental health conditions. The CDC report also showed increased viewership of their animated series “My Life is Worth Living” and usage of the curriculum in classrooms, as well as schools taking advantage of “Calm Room” grants, to allow students a quiet area to reset and get back to the classroom, while addressing and monitoring the youth’s needs.