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New Documentary Will Highlight How Mental Health Impacts Young People

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What’s coming: Famed documentarian Ken Burns will executive produce a new documentary, tentatively titled, “Hiding in Plain Sight: Our Mental Health Crisis,” which will chronicle mental health issued faced by young people in the U.S. The four-hour film is part of a larger public media and campaign effort, the Well Beings Youth Mental Health Project.

[We] set out to listen and learn to America’s young people, documenting their experiences but also listening to how they are identifying new ways to address mental health challenges. It is a remarkable journey that we hope will capture the unique voices of these young people as they navigate an extraordinarily difficult moment in our country’s history. — Ken Burns

The Frontlines: Mental health among young people is a major concern. Addressing mental health earlier in life can also prevent later struggles.

  • One out of every six kids between the ages of 6 to 17 experience a mental health issue each year
  • About 50% of lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14 (and 75% show up by age 24)
  • Among young people between ages 10 to 34, suicide is the second leading cause of death
  • Only about 51% of kids between ages 6 and 17 with a mental health issue receive treatment in any given year

A Mighty Voice: Our community member, Catherine Pratt, provided some advice if you child is struggling with their mental health. “When your kid is upset, sit with them, hold them, let them cry. But don’t forget to have a bit of fun — make jokes, rant about the latest scandal, bitch about someone. Little things like this remind your child they are still human and that one day, things will get better.” You can submit your first person story, too.

Get more on mental health: Sign up for our weekly mental health newsletter.

From Our Community: 

What words do you need to hear right now?

Add your voice: Join the Daily Inspirations group on The Mighty by downloading our app or comment below.

Other things to know: It’s never too early to talk to kids about their mental health. In that spirit, these Mighty articles may help:

More helpful thinking: To learn more about the Youth Mental Health project and add your voice to the campaign, check out the Well Beings website here.

Header image via Ángel López/Unsplash

Originally published: May 22, 2020
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