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

Credit-recovery programs give students the chance to earn credits they need for the next grade or graduation. But do these second chances to pass give the system permission to fail?

Roughly 90% of high schoolers who weren’t on track to graduate by the end of 9th grade stayed off track in 10th grade, according to a November district analysis.

A survey of 1,361 Chicago adults, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, found lower awareness of the elected school board among younger people and those who identify as Black and Latino.

Dozens of school districts filed a lawsuit against the state challenging conditions placed on receiving school safety and mental health funding.

Mayor Cherelle Parker has publicly said she wants to use vacant buildings for housing. The school board approved a resolution saying it will look into it.

NYC’s School Construction Authority faces widespread criticism from parents and educators over chronic delays, shoddy work, and cost overruns on critical school renovation projects.