CDC Reports Increasing Mental Health Challenges for U.S. Teens
by Cathy Murphy, Director of Community Outreach
According to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are continuing to see a trend of declining mental health among our teens. The data showed more than 4 in 10 (42%) students felt persistently sad or hopeless and nearly one-third (29%) experienced poor mental health. The report also showed more than 1 in 5 (22%) students seriously considered suicide and 1 in 10 (10%) had attempted suicide in 2021.
While statistics worsened for all teens during this period, data shows a stark disparity for teenage girls. In 2021, fifty-seven percent of female students experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness and 13% had attempted suicide in the past year.
You can read the full report on the CDC’s website at tinyurl.com/cdcyouth23.
We Want to Hear from You!
On May 18th, United Way of Greater Atlanta will be presenting new data regarding Child Well-Being both in the Atlanta region generally and in North Fulton specifically.
Your feedback is crucial as we open the discussion to Child Well-Being intersectionality with mental health outcomes. Participants are invited to share their impressions and implications of these findings. The discussion will inform a comprehensive perspective and provide momentum toward collective action.
Please join us from 10:00 – 11:30 AM in-person on Thursday, May 18th at Alpharetta First United Methodist Church, 69 N. Main Street or via live streaming on Facebook @NFMHC. Register online at tinyurl.com/NFMHC523