Mind Check: Policies to Support Youth Mental Health

Our nation’s youth are suffering unprecedented strains on their mental health. Since 2016, emergency department cases of youth attempted suicide and self-injury have nearly tripled. Today, more than 40% of teenagers say they struggle with persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Meanwhile, the number of drug overdose deaths more than doubled among adolescents from 2019 to 2021.

While these alarming trends cannot be blamed on any single factor, the lack of early intervention and treatment options for youth have played an outsized role. Join BPC for a discussion on how federal policymakers can better support youth mental health and well-being.