MONTREAL There is an increasing number of teenagers experiencing psychological distress, according to Quebec s Fondation Jeunes en Tête. At the moment, one out of every two young people in high school is facing issues of anxiety and major depression, said Foundation President Mélanie Boucher. The debate of young people s mental health has received a lot of attention since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and there have been growing concerns about the negative impacts lockdowns and home-schooling could have on them. While the pandemic has certainly played a role, Boucher points out it s wrong to assume this is the only reason why teens are in distress. She points out that half of all mental health issues begin before the age of 14.