As young people continue to struggle with mental health and suicide, experts are pushing for action that centers both evidence-based treatment and cultural belonging.
At a July 25 news briefing hosted by American Community Media, speakers noted that effective care remains out of reach for too many. “We’re in a true public health crisis,” said Dr. Ovsanna Leyfer, a research assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and a licensed clinical psychologist in the Child and Adolescent Fear and Anxiety Treatment Program at the Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University. “But we also know what works: the question is whether we can deliver it.”
Over 40 percent of Gen Zers—those between the ages of 13 and 28—report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. One in five has considered suicide, reported Leyfer. “These are not just numbers. These are kids in classrooms, homes, and clinics—or worse, kids who can’t get into any of those places for help.”
Much of the recent attention on youth mental health has focused on social media and the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Kiara Alvarez, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health, Behavior, and Society at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, noted that youth of color face consistent struggles that run much deeper.
“For Black and Latino adolescents, racism is a chronic stressor,” said Alvarez, who also serves in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. “It’s not just trauma from isolated events, but the daily wear-and-tear of being treated differently, navigating school systems that stereotype them, and worrying about safety in their communities.”
Among Latino youth, the crisis is compounded by language barriers, immigration fears, and financial hardship. “When your parents are working multiple jobs, or you’re translating bills at age ten, it changes your stress physiology. These kids are surviving environments of chronic threat—and we’re not responding fast enough,” said Alvarez.
In California, youth suicide rates have been a significant concern, with suicide being the second-leading cause of death among individuals aged 10-25. From 2018 to 2022, the number of suicides among youth in California increased from 163 to 188, reflecting a 15% rise. The California Department of Public Health provides a dashboard that tracks youth suicide deaths from 2010 to 2023, offering insights into trends and data. The Black youth suicide rate was 12 per 100,000 residents from 2021 to 2023, reflecting the ever-rising number.