Was Live Friday, July 25, 2025
Related Coverage
- Gen Z Mental Health Crisis Requires Cultural Understanding and Proven Treatments
- YouTube Playlist of Highlights from this Briefing
Guest Speakers
- Dr. Kiara Álvarez, Bloomberg Assistant Professor of American Health, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Joint appointment, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Dr. Ovsanna Leyfer, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and licensed clinical psychologist, Child and Adolescent Fear and Anxiety Treatment Program, Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders at Boston University
- Two young adults from Beloved Village will share their stories of struggling with depression and anxiety
Event Overview
The declining mental health of children and young adults is the ‘crisis of our time,’ says former US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. More than 22% of Gen Z young adults reported having a major depressive episode in 2023, according to data from the National Institute of Mental Health. 4 out of 10 children report persistent feelings of sadness.
Depression rates are highest among Latino youth, while young Black men have the highest rates of suicide. In 2022, suicide was the leading cause of death for Asian Americans ages 15-24.
Speakers this week will discuss the many drivers of poor mental health in children and young adults, including poverty, racism, rejection, and the many uncertainties of contemporary American life. They will also discuss novel treatment models.
Presented by ACoM
Cover Image Credit: Canva Photos
