Health and Mental Health Archives

Q&A Shourya Kancharla, 16-year-old founder of Simple Minds Matter, youth mental health _feature: young man holding pamphlet at event

Q&A with Shourya Kancharla, 16-year-old founder of Simple Minds Matter, on bringing affordable online therapy to high school students

Karen Pittman gets the story of how a 13-year-old designed a brilliant solution to a much talked about problem — youth mental...

In and beyond the school day-Expanding access to the behavioral supports that shape young people’s futures_feature2: young red haired girl and father meet with education professional

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From the Field

In and beyond the school day: Expanding access to the behavioral supports that shape young people’s futures

Behavioral supports and services are crucial for some youth to thrive. Unfortunately, lack of access or continuity of care leaves many overlooked.

How Cureco is redefining youth-led health advocacy, youth-led advocacy_feature: teen girl with long dark hair stand in front of boxes of medical supplies on table

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From the Field

How Cureco is redefining youth-led health advocacy

Youth-led advocacy encourages long-term civic engagement, leadership development and community-centered problem-solving.

supporting queer youth, LGBTQ+ community: group of smiling, diverse youth with rainbow flag draped in front of them

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From the Field

Supporting queer youth during Pride Month and all year long: Nine proven actions you can take

OST professionals share top strategies for supporting queer youth after years of experience doing the work.

Emotional isolation of boys, The boys we’re losing-and the prevention we’re missing_feature: group of young men and boys on a hike

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Opinion

The boys we’re losing — and the prevention we’re missing

The emotional isolation of boys is shaped by long-standing norms that reward suppression and discourage vulnerability.

I was that kid-and schools are still getting it wrong_feature: young male teen sitting and looking at school with headphones on

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Opinion

I was that kid — and schools are still getting it wrong.

Stark gaps in disability-rights enforcement contribute to school exclusion and youth criminalization despite federal legal protections.

youth tobacco use, teen vaping: Black and white photo of two older teens sitting against brick wall smoking electronic cigarettes

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From the Field

When teens vape, they are not just smoking. They are coping.

For most young people, vaping is not a substance use problem. It is an emotional regulation problem wearing a disguise.

How visual arts workshops can help youth achieve mental health goals_feature: young black female artist works on the floor with headphones around neck

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From the Field

How visual arts workshops can help youth achieve mental health goals

Growing up, I struggled with anxiety and OCD. When I started one-on-one therapy at age 10, I quickly discovered that using visual...

Childcare: several young children stand in a line with arms around each others shoulders

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Opinion

Entering the life space of the child: Frank Fecser’s legacy in action

Re-EDucation is a systematic, relational, ecological approach to working with children with mental/behavioral challenges.

Child safety was never meant to look like this_feature: A sad little girl hugging her parent to feel safe, tearful.

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Opinion

Child safety was never meant to look like this

The U.S. invokes child protection to justify family separation, prolonged detention and forced placements, but this distorts the origins of child safety.

Twice a refugee _feature: This black-and-white image depicts a dramatic scene of a person holding their head, seemingly distressed, while standing under long, vertical shadows resembling prison bars. The composition and the strong contrast between light and dark create an intense atmosphere, evoking feelings of confinement, mental struggle, and isolation. The texture of the ground and the person's silhouette add depth to the emotional narrative of the photograph.

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Opinion

Twice a refugee

A young, LGBTQ refugee shares their journey from Africa to Trump's United States and then Canada, highlighting the fear permeating immigrant communities.

The empty desk_A student's view of the siege in our hallways_feature: shadowy classroom with empty desks

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Opinion

The empty desk: A student’s view of the siege in our hallways

A junior at Columbia Heights High School in Minnesota gives a glimpse into what it's like to be student during the ongoing...

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Opinion

How youth are leading change in pediatric rheumatology

There are only ~420 board certified pediatric rheumatologists in the U.S., creating a stark lack of access. Room4Rheum is looking to change...

Evolving with teens_Building programs to keep them connected through grief_feature: group of teen girls in matching black shirts smiling

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From the Field

Evolving with teens: Building programs to keep them connected through grief

Childhood grief can resurface as milestones magnify the absence of someone and many youth do not have the capacity to work through...

Syudent sleep depravation: Reen redhead girl sleeps with hed on arms sitting at classroom vesk surrounded ny other students at desks

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Opinion

SAT start times: A simple systems change

While adolescents are naturally inclined to sleep later than their young peers, the systems they engage in have decided that things should...

Missing conversation_heart disease and teen years_feature: two young female students getting their blood pressure taken at health event

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From the Field

The missing conversation: Heart disease and the teen years

By age 18, many teenagers are already burdened with cardiovascular risk factors.

Detained and in the dark_girls in juvenile detention need menstrual health education now: young black girl in detention cell looking sad

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Opinion

Detained and in the dark: Girls in juvenile detention need menstrual health education now

Young women/girls in juvenile detention lack fundamental knowledge needed for choices about their bodies.

From anxiety to connection_youth mental health and social skills: young female teen talks in group setting

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From the Field

Q&A: From anxiety to connection: How Wyman helps teens build social skills

Youth Today spoke with Williams to learn more about Wyman's Teen Connection Project.

Youth mental health is personal_Our solutions need to be systemic: black female therapist comforts black male student during therapy

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Opinion

Youth mental health is personal. Our solutions need to be systemic.

Training existing school and program staff in adolescent development, trauma response and therapeutic principles could democratize access to mental health.