Teen Mental Health

Mysteries of Mental Illness explores the story of mental illness in science and society. The four-part series traces the evolution of this complex topic from its earliest days to present times. It explores dramatic attempts across generations to unravel the mysteries of mental illness and gives voice to contemporary Americans across a spectrum of experiences.

Public media stations across New York state are collaborating to create a teacher professional development toolkit to improve student mental health. Using PBS Learning Media, teachers will better understand and address self-harm among students. To further raise awareness, public media journalists are focusing coverage on the topic as well. Funding for this program is provided in part by the New York State Education Department.

More local news stories:

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  Fairport teens will start classes later as of 2026-27 school year Noelle E. C. Evans, September 18, 2024Teens soon will get more time to sleep in on school days in Fairport as a districtwide shift in start times is on the horizon. LISTEN • 1:25
  
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  RCSD’s Ruth Turner: ROC Restorative H.U.B serves hundreds of Rochester students, September 13, 2024 Rochester city schools are putting more energy behind an alternative center for conflict resolution, and a “hub” of mediators is shaping a new district-wide approach to violence prevention.

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  Connections How to best support students’ mental and emotional health as the school year begins Connections with Evan Dawson” on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, we speak with students about the decline in youth mental health and the types of support adults can provide. LISTEN • 51:05

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  Rochester City School District opens new middle schools and confronts familiar challenges-Noelle E. C. Evans, September 5, 2024This week marked the return of students across the region. Thursday was particularly noteworthy in Rochester as one of the largest reconfigurations in the City School District’s history meant hundreds of students were starting the year at a new school. LISTEN • 4:14
  
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  Rochester leaders urge parents to step up for youth emotional health–Noelle E. C. Evans, September 4, 2024Rochester city officials and mental health advocates are calling on parents and caregivers to build deeper connections with their children this school year. LISTEN • 1:36
  

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  Connections: State Sen. Samra Brouk on mental health-Evan Dawson, “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, we welcome state Sen. Samra Brouk for a discussion on her plans to address mental health issues for people of color. LISTEN • 51:31
  
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  A state law could change the look of college IDs in New York for the sake of mental healthNoelle E. C. Evans-, July 18, 2024 Could a simple set of three digits on New York college student IDs save lives? LISTEN • 3:23
  
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  Connections: How a new pediatric urgent care is expected to address the mental health needs of local youthEvan Dawson, On “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Thursday, May 16, 2024, our guests discuss the state of pediatric mental health care in the region and how they think a new urgent care opening in July will help bridge gaps in treatment. LISTEN • 51:36
  

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  Connections: Examining youth mental health in the pandemic era-Evan Dawson, On “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, we host a discussion with mental health advocates about how the pandemic adversely affected the mental health of young people and how to best support them. LISTEN • 51:36
  
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  Gov. Hochul’s upcoming state budget addresses student mental health matters. Local leaders respond-Noelle E. C. Evans, January 9, 2024 Gov. Kathy Hochul says efforts to improve youth mental health will be a priority in her upcoming New York state budget proposal.
  
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  R-Centers offer teen mental health support through winter breakNoelle E. C. Evans, December 26, 2023Some recreation centers in Rochester have been bolstered with more mental health supports for teens and their families — the winter school break will offer more opportunities for students to access those services.
  
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  Connections: How local teens are getting more involved in understanding their social and emotional health, November 15, 2023In the first hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, our guests discuss how local teenagers are gaining a better understanding of their social/emotional health and how to care for it. LISTEN • 51:21
  
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  URMC debuts teen drama therapy performance at OFC Creations-Noelle E. C. Evans, October 27, 2023. Drama therapy might not be widely known or practiced, but a theater production this weekend showcases the fusion of art and healing. LISTEN • 4:11
  
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  How can we have more open conversations about mental illness, including suicidal ideation? “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, we explore how to have more open conversations about mental illness, including suicidal ideation. It’s a theme of this year’s Reel Mind Film Festival. LISTEN • 51:24
  
• Local NewsStudents face mental health care barriers. A proposed law might helpNoelle E. C. Evans, October 4, 2023A lack of mental health services at schools and colleges is a national issue that hits home in Western New York, but proposed recommendations could remove obstacles.LISTEN • 4:17
• Local NewsLocal institutions work to meet ‘profound and startling’ demand for teen mental health servicesRacquel Stephen, October 2, 2023Although progress is being made toward addressing teen mental health, experts say there’s still more that needs to be done to meet the demand for resources. A new facility that’s in the works aims to help do that.
• Local NewsMeet the game-changers leading a mental health movement among student-athletesNoelle E. C. Evans, September 29, 2023A club at Nazareth is one of nearly 1,400 Morgan’s Message ambassador programs at colleges and high schools around the country. These programs are a place where students lead conversations about mental health.LISTEN • 7:41
• New York Public News NetworkNew York state leaders say they are making gains on addressing teen mental healthKaren DeWitt, September 27, 2023Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature invested $1 billion into mental health services in the current state budget. Part of that money is earmarked for services specifically for teenagers.LISTEN • 3:19
• ConnectionsMelissa Kearney, author of ‘The Two-Parent Privilege’Evan Dawson, September 27, 2023In the second hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, September 27, 2023, we talk with Melissa Kearney, author of “The Two-Parent Privilege: How Americans Stopped Getting Married and Started Falling Behind.”LISTEN • 51:37
• ConnectionsFormer WNBA all-star Chamique Holdsclaw on mental health advocacyEvan Dawson, September 26, 2023In the first hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, we’re joined by former WNBA all-star and mental health advocate Chamique Holdsclaw to discuss how communities can better support people with mental health challenges.LISTEN • 51:30
• Local NewsRCSD’s Ruth Turner leads restorative approaches to conflict with new H.U.B.Noelle E. C. Evans, September 25, 2023There’s a new space for resolving conflicts and interrupting cycles of violence at the Rochester City School District.LISTEN • 1:28
• Local NewsGreece joins school districts suing social media giants over alleged harms to childrenDavid Andreatta, September 20, 2023Districts allege social media apps are to blame for student struggles with mental health and discipline problems that divert resources from education.LISTEN • 1:25
• ConnectionsWhy are teens with mental health challenges not getting care?Evan Dawson, September 20, 2023In the second hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, we discuss why teens with mental health challenges are not getting the care they need.LISTEN • 52:12
• Local NewsNazareth University expands mental wellness programs with $300,000 federal grantNoelle E. C. Evans, September 19, 2023Students and staff at Nazareth University will see an expansion of mental health outreach starting this fall.LISTEN • 1:14
• ConnectionsWhat do young people think causes hopelessness or lack of direction?Evan Dawson, August 31, 2023In the first hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Thursday, August 31, 2023, we talk with youth organizers from Teen Empowerment about what they think causes hopelessness or lack of direction.LISTEN • 51:46
• Local NewsHousing instability hurts Rochester students’ academic performance, says reportJeremy Moule, August 24, 2023The Children’s Agenda is calling on the state to enact policies and programs to help families find a stable place to live.
• ConnectionsSummer Book Week: A look inside children’s books dealing with anxietyJasmin Singer, August 18, 2023In the second hour of “Connections Summer Book Week” on Friday, August 18, we discuss anxiety presented through children’s books.LISTEN • 51:43
• Local NewsKids coping with trauma and violence can start finding help at some city recreation centersBeth Adams, July 12, 2023In an effort to boost the emotional health of Rochester’s children, the city is launching a one-year pilot program at its recreation centers.
• Local NewsGreece Athena High School pilots a counseling app for student mental wellnessNoelle E. C. Evans, May 29, 2023The Greece Central School District is rolling out a pilot program to see if a phone app could improve student mental health.LISTEN • 1:18
• Local NewsState budget allots funding for youth mental healthAva Pukatch, May 17, 2023May is Mental Health Awareness month and the New York state budget includes $1 billion toward transforming the state’s mental health care — $30 million of that is focused on children.LISTEN • 1:34
• Local NewsConference in Rochester provides resources for girls ages 10 to 16Stephanie Ballard-Foster, April 17, 2023A mother-daughter conference in Rochester over the weekend was designed to help girls learn more about mental and emotional health supports available to them.
• ConnectionsWhat do young people need when it comes to digital literacy education?Evan Dawson, April 12, 2023In the second hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, our guests discuss the role and impact of digital media in teens’ lives.LISTEN • 51:57
• ConnectionsCan music help teens and young adults struggling with mental health challenges?Evan Dawson, March 23, 2023In the first hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Thursday, March 23, 2023, our guests discuss how music can help people address mental health challenges.LISTEN • 50:56
• Local NewsSurvey: Parents say kids lack mental health services in Monroe County schoolsNoelle E. C. Evans, March 22, 2023The Children’s Agenda is calling for robust solutions to what they say is a mental health crisis among children and teens – including improving access to care in schools.LISTEN • 1:23
• Local NewsHochul proposes $1 billion to boost statewide mental health services in wake of pandemicNoelle E. C. Evans, March 17, 2023Gov. Kathy Hochul is pushing for $1 billion worth of mental health services across New York state, with a strong focus on addressing the needs of children and teens.LISTEN • 1:28
• ConnectionsHow local institutions are working to connect people to mental health servicesEvan Dawson, January 9, 2023In the second hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Monday, January 9, 2023, why is mental health getting worse over time? We discuss the question with mental health professionals and hear about how they evaluate mental health challenges.LISTEN • 51:26
• Local NewsHow a new Rochester youth center came to be named for the ObamasBrian Sharp, January 9, 2023Teen Empowerment has landed a major donor for its new center. And his contribution came with an unusual request.LISTEN • 4:54
• ConnectionsHow to help teens cope with trauma and mental health challengesEvan Dawson, December 27, 2022In the second hour of “Connections with Evan Dawson” on Tuesday December 27, 2022 we talk with representatives of BreathDeep, Inc., a program that provides wellness resources to marginalized groups.LISTEN • 51:48
• Local NewsCollege students need more mental health resources, speakers stress at state hearingNoelle E. C. Evans, December 1, 2022State lawmakers gathered this week for a public hearing on college students’ mental health needs ahead of the upcoming 2023 legislative session.LISTEN • 1:15
• Local NewsRCSD partners with the University of Rochester to support students’ mental health needsRacquel Stephen, September 28, 2022The University of Rochester and the Rochester City School District are partnering again, this time to provide mental health training to school staff.

Social media, academic stress and other crucial factors contribute to the adolescent mental health crisis in America. This episode explores the alarming rise of anxiety, depression, and suicide among teenagers, addressing causes of the crisis and exploring possible solutions. Meet families and teens affected by mental health disorders, as well as psychiatric experts calling for change.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. While leaders acknowledge a teen mental health crisis, much discourse focuses on suicide as a white issue. Filmmakers Kalia Hunter (Dom) and Kallista Palapas (I’ll Be There) recount two young black lives cut short by suicide, and in doing so, compel communities to act. Available on-demand through 4/14/2027.

Two teen filmmakers tackle mental health and suicide as they search for healing in Under the Wire and Surviving. Available on-demand through 9/29/2026.