Just two months ago, in December 2021, Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued an advisory to highlight an urgent need to address the mental health crisis among the young people in our country. Along with diagnoses of clinical anxiety and depression, rates of teen suicide are skyrocketing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was a 60 percent increase from 2007 to 2018 in the number of 10- to 24-year-olds who ended their lives. In that same time frame, 40 percent more high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness. In 2019, one-sixth of students made suicide plans in the previous year–an increase of 44 percent since 2009. During the pandemic, which exacerbated feelings of isolation, loneliness, and uncertainty, as many as one-quarter of young adults aged 18 to 24 admitted to seriously considering suicide.
Every parent who is concerned about youth mental health and the risk of suicide should read this deeply personal, well-researched piece written by respected journalist Julie Halpert. She offers compassion, support, and sage advice for navigating these issues with young people within families and communities. Julie and her husband, Scott, have created a nonprofit in their son’s memory, Garrett’s Space, which is currently offering programming through the University of Michigan’s Eisenberg Family Depression Center and is in the process of creating a residential retreat for young adults.
Please read this article and consider supporting Garrett’s Space, a desperately needed model for mental health support.