Help us report on youth mental health in NYC

A group of men in suits and two women stand in front of a wall with bright mural on it. Mayor Adams is at a lectern.  A sign reads NYC TeenSpace.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan announce “TeenSpace” — the city’s tele-mental health service available to all New York City teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 years old at no cost, in Brooklyn on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 (Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

Two weeks ago, New York City launched a new effort to address the ongoing youth mental health crisis: free online therapy for city teenagers.

The statistics illustrating the depth of that crisis are sobering. Nationwide, three-quarters of high school students experienced at least one “adverse childhood experience” – traumatic events linked with long-term mental health challenges – during the pandemic. In New York City, 9% of teenagers reported attempting suicide in 2021, according to the city’s Health Department.

As the city’s efforts roll out, we want to better understand the mental health picture for young people, and how it’s affecting schools.

Educators, parents, and especially students: We want to hear directly from you. If you have something to share, please fill out our brief survey – and thank you.


The Latest

Roger León got his contract extended to 2030 after board member Melissa Reed abruptly decided to vote in favor of it. Last month, the board declined to approve an extension.

Superintendent Alex Marrero earned 73.5 points out of a possible 100 on his evaluation, which the school board approved Thursday.

The agreement makes the payment contingent on receiving $552.4 million in surplus tax funds proposed by Mayor Brandon Johnson.

The sale of 148 pieces of fine art, which have been kept in storage, will fund a roughly $1 million endowment for arts education

The school board vote on Thursday marks the end of a yearslong attempt to dispose of the facility, which opened as a high school in 1968 but also served as a middle school.

To address Philadelphia’s severe teacher shortage, educators and advocates want to inspire more high schoolers to go into the field through hands-on opportunities.