The CDC’s latest survey of high school students found that four in 10 (40%) had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and two in 10 (20%) seriously considered suicide. Nearly one in 10 (9%) attempted suicide.
The number of adolescents in crisis and experiencing poor mental health in the United States is disheartening.
The rates of mental health challenges in teens are increasing with half of all lifetime mental illnesses beginning by age 14 and found to be disproportionately affecting Black and African Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Latinos, Native Americans and LGBTQ+ communities.
These startling statistics are evidence of the pain and distress that too many teens battle each day and the need for immediate access to services in diverse communities.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is responding with “Take Space to Pause,” a bilingual English and Spanish statewide campaign for teens who uniquely sought to provide input in creating its online look and content.
Using the digital platforms already utilized by teens, support information and tips for coping are available online on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram @TakeSpacetoPause. Resource information is also available on the website TakeSpacetoPause.org
It’s designed to help teens move from “reactive to proactive action around their mental health,” eliminating stigmas and encouraging seeking help.
The content is varied and includes everything from adopting a virtual pet to helplines that reach counselors. Early signs of stress, teaching coping skills and promoting positive ways to get ahead of breaking points are key components.
“I don’t think it’s ever been as hard to be a kid as it is in this day and age. The amount that’s thrown at you every day, every second on your screens in real life, is intense and it’s different,” said Dr. Souhill Sud, introduced as a pediatrician, a father of two and director of the California Youth Behavioral Initiative, a multi-year, multi-billion dollar effort.
The goal for this campaign, he said, is “to really transform the way we support our children, our youth and our families – to reimagine behavioral health.”
The Take Space to Pause campaign is partnering with community-based organizations that include tribal organizations.
“They can spread it in a way others can’t because they are the culture, they speak the language, they represent those communities,” said Dr. Sud. “That’s what we need to do to really embody this ethos of being equity-centered, equity-driven and to support our kids most authentically.”
A group of young people involved in the campaign participated in a panel during its public launch. They shared their own struggles and obstacles when attempting to get support.
“Around age 14, entering high school, I started noticing some symptoms of depression, and I wasn’t exactly sure who to talk to, so I went to a high school counselor. Of course, they didn’t give me the resources that I needed,” shared Makenzie Cross. Cross is a member of the “Youth Colab” involved in the campaign. “What I needed was support and comfort and I wasn’t receiving that.”
“I was around 16 when I decided I wanted to pursue psychology, and this was because I was dealing with a lot of anxiety,” said Brittany Flores.
“I had generalized anxiety disorder, and coming from a low-income community, it was very hard for me to understand what was happening to me, my family didn’t know what mental health was or an anxiety attack, and [neither did] my teachers,” she said. “So I took it upon myself to educate myself on why I’m experiencing anxiety.”
Ana Bolaños, assistant deputy director at the Office of Health Equity, California Department of Public Health, said she was motivated to complete her higher education in clinical psychology and social work because of the need.
“I picked those careers because I came from a Latina, Latino family that had some mental health issues, but it was never discussed, and it was never really, truly identified, and so that was the trajectory for me.”
Bolaños is a mother of two daughters who are now young adults – one who suffers from anxiety and the other diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
“So, I have firsthand experience of what that feels like and a real deep understanding of the challenges that youth face.”
Bolaños worked on the development of the campaign over the last 3 1/2 years and addressed the youth panelists.
“I looked at you and listened to you, and I really wish that my children had this amazing campaign, and had the opportunity to share their stories so they didn’t feel that they were alone.
“So when you walk through life now, I want you to remember that you are not alone, that you have a community, you have your peers, you have your families, and you have us that are here to support you,” said Bolaños.
“The charge comes from youth. It comes from families,” Dr. Sud emphasized.
“And what you’ve told us is we got to make the health care system better to work for us and have people there who look like us, who speak our languages and who can support us, but you also have to meet us where our lives play out, so in homes, in communities, in schools and colleges and child care and online.”
Cross said while being involved in the Youth Colab that provided input for the campaign, she used the techniques on herself.
“Take Space to Pause has been tremendous in my life. I don’t think that I would be where I am without it to be honest I have gained a lot,” she said.
“Our youth need to have power. They need to control their negative thoughts by replacing them with positive thoughts, giving them the opportunity to create positive coping skills and Take Space to Pause is going to do that. We’re going to educate, engage and motivate,” said Cross.
For more information on Take Space to Pause, go to: @TakeSpacetoPause or TakeSpacetoPause.org.