WJCT 89.9 NPR - Florida's mental health crisis
The nation’s young people are in crisis.
Florida hospitals are jammed this winter with children and young adults visiting emergency rooms after suspected suicide attempts.
Research conducted by the CDC finds that nearly 45% of high school students were so persistently sad or hopeless in 2021 that they were unable to engage in regular activities. Of those surveyed, nearly 1 out of every 5 seriously considered suicide, and 9% of the teenagers tried to take their lives during the previous 12 months.
Meanwhile, trying to access mental health resources has become extremely difficult for many of those who are suffering.
Guests:
Dr. Terrie Andrews, vice president of behavioral health for Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital.
Sheryl Johnson, founder and president of Hearts 4 Minds.
