Youth mental health is in a state of emergency. How is Minnesota responding?
In 2021, leading medical groups and the U.S. Surgeon General declared youth mental health a national emergency, citing increased rates of depression, hopelessness and thoughts of suicide.
The percentage of teens reporting “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” jumped from 26 percent to 37 percent between 2009 and 2019. In 2021, it was 44 percent, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
On Tuesday, American Public Media’s Call to Mind initiative explored the mental health experiences of young people across the nation. And it took a close look at schools’ role on the frontlines of the youth mental health crisis.
On Wednesday, MPR News host Angela Davis continued the conversation. She talked with three guests about how the mental health crisis is affecting Minnesota youth and schools.
Guests:
Daniel Knewitz is the legislative chair of the Minnesota School Psychologists Association and a licensed school psychologist.
Sandy Lewandowski is the Superintendent of Intermediate District 287.
Sierra Grandy is a volunteer with NAMI Minnesota.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.