Adolescence is hard; teens are juggling peer relationships, parent expectations, physical changes, and personal identity. Adding mental health struggles on top of all this can be overwhelming. Unaddressed mental health disorders can have serious consequences for youth and impede their transition into adulthood.¹

Mental health conditions make up a sixth of the global disease burden in those aged 10-19.² In Utah County, 63.4% of middle and high school students report having moderate depressive symptoms and 7.5% having high depressive symptoms.³ In a recent study, 21.6% of high school students in Utah reported they had seriously considered attempting suicide at least once in the past 12 months, which is 5% higher than the national average.⁴

The World Health Organization found that certain factors can increase the likelihood of suicide including mental disorders (responsible for 90% of suicides in countries like the United States), hopelessness, and substance use.⁵

Youth with unaddressed mental illness are more likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as substance use and unsafe sex.⁶ Providing the needed support can decrease emotional, behavioral, and functional problems and can improve social and behavioral adaptation, school performance, and ability to learn.⁷