Nothing could have prepared our local students for the disruptions they’ve faced over the past year. Even the most successful of them are feeling out of sync. I’m thinking of one mom in particular who was telling me about the toll the COVID-19 restrictions and virtual classes have taken on her teenage sons.
“Freshman year is already a big jump, and now with the added stress of living in a restricted environment, I’m really noticing a change in his attitude and motivation levels. With the absence of extracurriculars, he doesn’t have an outlet to fall back on,” she says, adding that her younger son hasn’t fared much better. “They feel an overwhelming sense of isolation and pressure to keep up with their schedule, classes and assignments.”
It’s this increased solitude that has contributed to quickly rising levels of mental distress in American youth. The World Health Organization says that half of all mental illnesses start by age 14. Alarmingly, the third leading cause of death in 15-19-year-olds right now is suicide.
From the onset of COVID-19 in early spring up until June, Mental Health America saw a rise in positive screens for depression and anxiety, nearly 90,000 more than what was projected for 2020. The most prevalent findings were among those under the age of 25, where 90% screened had moderate-to-severe depression, and 80% screened were experiencing moderate-to-severe anxiety.
Are we prioritizing the human connectedness and basic resources our youth have always needed, now that the need is greater than ever before?
As the season of giving approaches and we count our blessings, I humbly ask our community to consider giving hope to our children. Here are just a few local charities that are giving children a fighting chance:
Legacy Children’s Foundation
- Volunteer: Help at the on-site food pantry every third Thursday of the month.
- Give: Donate $75 to fund one month of after-school tutoring and mentoring.
The Village Family Service Center
- Volunteer: Mentor a child through the Big Brother Big Sister program.
- Give: Donate to supplement the counseling needs of youth.
YWCA of Cass Clay
- Volunteer: Assist with food services, or host a drive to gather items of urgent need.
- Give: Donate $44 to provide one night of safety for a woman and her children.
This list is not exhaustive, of course. There are many more youth-serving charities at GivingHeartsDay.org that would love your help.
While monetary donations are always beneficial, your willingness to connect with your community is equally valuable. Let’s give our kids something to count on right now: us.
Traynor is executive director of the Dakota Medical Foundation and Impact Foundation.
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December 24, 2020 at 09:00PM
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Letter: Let's give our kids a fighting chance - INFORUM
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