Newsletter  | January 2025


                                                    ☀  JVL Wildcat Monthly Newsletter: JANUARY 2025 

 Image  Image

Instagram Post Highlight

 Image  Image

Youth Mental Health: What to Expect in 2025

 Jed Foundation, Jan 2025

This article discusses the ongoing challenges and opportunities in youth mental health as we enter 2025. While many young people continue to face mental health struggles due to factors like financial insecurity, social division, the pandemic's lasting effects, and climate change, there are also positive signs of progress.

Key Trends and Findings:

  1. Mental Health Struggles: A significant portion of young people (ages 10-24) are struggling with their mental health. In 2024, 45% of youth reported mental health challenges, and 29% considered or engaged in self-harm. Additionally, marginalized groups, such as LGBTQIA+ and American Indian/Alaska Native youth, face disproportionately high mental health struggles.

  2. Reasons for Optimism: Despite these challenges, there are promising signs. For example:

    • 95% of youth feel supported by someone in their life.
    • Rates of sadness or hopelessness among high school students slightly decreased from 2021 to 2023.
    • The Jed Foundation’s (JED) programs, such as JED Campus, have shown positive impacts, including a reduction in suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts.
  3. Focus on Marginalized Populations: Youth from underserved groups, including LGBTQIA+ and American Indian/Alaska Native youth, experience significantly higher rates of poor mental health. JED is prioritizing support for these groups, aiming to reduce disparities.

  4. Boys and Young Men’s Mental Health: The mental health needs of boys and young men are a growing concern, as they are less likely to seek help and more likely to die by suicide. JED is working on initiatives to change attitudes around masculinity and mental health, such as collaborating with the athlete brand UNINTERRUPTED on a series discussing mental health among male athletes.

  5. Youth-Centered Approach: JED emphasizes the importance of involving young people in discussions about mental health. It has launched initiatives like the Youth Advocacy Coalition, which empowers college students to drive change. JED also addresses barriers to help-seeking, such as privacy concerns and the stigma surrounding mental health, particularly among diverse racial and LGBTQIA+ communities.

  6. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Mental Health: The article highlights growing concerns about AI’s role in youth mental health, including AI tools that detect self-harm risks and virtual therapy bots. JED is exploring the ethical implications of AI and its impact on youth.

  7. Social Media Safety: Social media offers both benefits and risks for young people, particularly those from marginalized communities. JED is advocating for stronger regulations and safer platforms to protect youth from harmful content and cyberbullying.

  8. Political Landscape: With a new presidential administration coming in 2025, there may be shifts in funding and policies around youth mental health. Some states are already increasing investments in behavioral health programs, and JED is preparing to collaborate with policymakers to continue advancing mental health initiatives.

Looking Ahead:

JED remains committed to supporting youth mental health in 2025 through new initiatives like the District Mental Health Initiative and expanding work with community organizations. The foundation plans to amplify youth voices and collaborate with influencers to promote self-care and mental health awareness.

Overall, while challenges persist, the article highlights the ongoing work to improve mental health care, address systemic disparities, and create a supportive environment for young people.

JED in partnership with AASA, The School Superintendents Association, is here to help. Their team can guide your district through a comprehensive process to evaluate your current systems, identify student mental health needs, and then enhance your systems of mental health support for all pre-K–12 students. 

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE


Curious what's happening in NY schools? You can read more here.

-

Resource of the Month: 

MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA

https://mhanational.org/

Mental Health America is the nation's leading national nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of mental health, well-being and illness prevention.  MHA focuses around advancing the mental health and well-being of all people living in the U.S. through public education, research, advocacy, public policy, and direct service. 

MHA advocated for closing the mental health equity gap while increasing nationwide awareness and understanding through public education, direct services, tools, and research. The annual State of Mental Health in America report is among the most widely respected health reports in the nation. 

MHA aims to break free of existing limitations in their thinking and approach. They intend to think beyond short-term constraints, misaligned incentives, and policy-making cycles—and have designed a person-centered system with a focus on all aspects of health and healing.

What MHA does:

* Community Engagement and Education

* Mental Health Research and Screening

* Youth Programs and Peer Leadership

* Workplace Resources 

* Advocacy and  Public Policy 

* Information and Referral Services

MHA's strategic plan, Next Generation Prevention (Next Gen), centers attention on the health and well-being of future generations and systemic reforms, as well as the embrace of new frontiers of science — from digital solutions to spirituality.

 "We envision a world in which all people and communities have equitable opportunity for mental health and well-being and are enabled to flourish and live with purpose and meaning."


Mental Health America

500 Montgomery Street

Suite 820

Alexandria, VA 22314

 (703) 684-7722

Learn more


=In order to be featured in the monthly newsletter, be sure to attend classes at least 80% of school days during the month.