The pandemic has taken a toll on all of us, and that includes mentally, which is why U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy felt the need to issue a public health advisory on mental health challenges confronting youth.
Editor’s note: This story contains graphic content and explicit language.
For mental health support related to COVID-19, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text 741741 from anywhere in the country to text with a trained crisis counselor.
One evening in early October, 11-year-old Jordan typed the following into a Google document:
“give me 10 GOOD reasons why I shuldnt kill myself here
Share here:”
No reasons were listed.
Those words set off a cascade of actions. Since Jordan was using a school-issued computer, the Frisco Independent School District’s technology department flagged it for counselors. Jordan’s mother, Candice, was notified by the counselor at Jordan’s middle school the next morning before she left for work, who recommended she take him to get help.
<figcaption> Mental health experts say many students report feeling deeply anxious and depressed, in large part due to social isolation during the pandemic. <cite>Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune</cite>
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Mental health experts say many students report feeling deeply anxious and depressed, in large part due to social isolation during the pandemic. Credit: Allie Goulding/The Texas Tribune
For mental health support related to COVID-19, call the state’s 24/7 toll-free support line at 833-986-1919. You can also call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or text 741741 from anywhere in the country to text with a trained crisis counselor. Read our mental health resource guide for more information.
Editor’
One evening in early October, 11-year-old Jordan typed the following into a Google document:
“give me 10 GOOD reasons why I shuldnt kill myself here