A Future at Stake: Safeguarding Youth Mental Health

By John MacPhee

The well-being of our nation’s young people is a shared responsibility. Suicide and accidental drug overdose remain leading causes of death among Americans ages 12 to 24, and 20% of high school students reported seriously considering suicide in the past year. Data like that underscores the urgent need for effective, evidence-based mental health care.

Across the country — from small towns to urban centers — families, schools, and communities are worried about the well-being of young people and are working to ensure that they have the support and skills they need to thrive. Today’s youth are already managing an unprecedented set of challenges, from the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to the pressures of economic instability and uncertainty. For many, these broader changes are compounded by concerns about:

• Their ability to access or afford health care and basic necessities
• Their safety, identity, and sense of belonging in their communities 
• The security of their families and the stability of the systems that support them 

As our country moves through a period of significant policy change and the sharp debates that come with it, The Jed Foundation (JED) remains committed to working with all who seek a better future for America’s youth. Major shifts in policy and governance bring both opportunities and uncertainties, and it will take time to fully understand their impact. What is clear, however, is that millions of young people and their families are overwhelmed, uncertain, and, in many cases, deeply afraid of what the future holds. As we navigate this evolving landscape, we must remember that behind our policy decisions are real people — youth, parents, neighbors — whose lives and well-being hang in the balance.

It is in the best interest of our nation, communities, and families to ensure that every young person has the support, stability, and resources they need to thrive, including access to mental health and suicide prevention services. Policymakers at all levels must take decisive action to:  

• Invest in strong families and communities by ensuring that young people, parents, schools, and organizations have the tools and resources to support mental health, including safeguarding Medicaid and other essential health programs 
• Foster resilience and life readiness by equipping young people with coping skills, emotional regulation strategies, and supportive environments that help them navigate challenges
• Ensure high-quality data and research at the local, state, and national levels so we can make informed, effective decisions and tailor mental health programs based on the best evidence 
• Sustain critical funding for mental health services, including crisis support such as the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the school- and community-based programs that play a crucial role in identifying and assisting youth in crisis 
• Advance evidence-based, tailored mental health and suicide prevention approaches, recognizing the varied experiences and needs of young people, their families, and their communities

For 25 years, JED has partnered with people in government, education, health, business, and communities to protect mental health and prevent suicide among teens and young adults. We know that when a community prioritizes youth mental health and purposefully takes multiple actions to create a culture of caring, it works. Schools that complete our JED Campus program, implementing a comprehensive approach, see significant improvements in student mental health: Students were 10% less likely to report suicidal ideation, 13% less likely to report suicide planning, and 25% less likely to report a suicide attempt. They also had improved average anxiety and depression scores and were more likely to stay in school and graduate. We’ve brought the same data-driven strategies to high schools, districts, and community organizations, ensuring that young people receive the support they need before crises emerge.

Every parent, teacher, coach, faith leader, and neighbor has a role to play. We must build strong support systems so no young person feels alone. We must have open, compassionate conversations that make it easier to ask for help. And we must continue pushing for solutions that ensure that every young person has access to the care they need, when they need it.

Suicide and substance misuse are preventable, and mental health support is essential. We all have a stake in ensuring that young people have the resources, care, and opportunities they need to thrive. By working together, we can build a future in which every young person feels safe, supported, and valued — because they deserve nothing less.