New York City Department of EducationMental Health in Schools

Help us report on youth mental health in NYC

By 
Michael Elsen-Rooney
 | November 28, 2023, 11:30pm UTC
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.


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