Unlocking the Potential of Schools for Enhancing Youth Mental Health

School officials nationwide recognize the urgent imperative to rapidly enhance our capacity to adequately address student mental health concerns. Responding to this pressing need demands a comprehensive districtwide strategy that integrates expert assistance, best practices, and data-driven insights to support student well-being.

The U.S. surgeon general sounded an alarm in 2021, urging immediate attention and action to safeguard the mental health of young people nationwide. Reports indicate that a growing number of young individuals are expressing higher levels of loneliness. Statistics reveal a 50% increase in persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness among high school students from 2011 to 2021, as highlighted in a CDC publication.

The year 2022 saw a record number of suicides across the U.S., retaining its position as the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 12 to 24.

In July, a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health revealed a consistent annual 8% increase in suicide rates among preteens — aged 8-12 — since 2008. The rise was particularly evident among female preteens, American Indian/Alaska Native or Asian/Pacific Islander preteens, and Hispanic preteens. Black preteens registered the highest overall suicide rate, with Hispanic preteens showing the most significant spike.