New York youth will have free access to online therapy

Research shows that the mental health of North American adolescents has worsened in recent years

New York City is launching a free online therapy service for teens in the five boroughs. The initiative comes after several studies highlighted a significant deterioration in the mental health of young people across the country, which has worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 29% of high school students reported a mental health problem in 2021. Over the past decade, the rate of suicidal ideation has also increased alarmingly : 9.2% of students reported attempts to end their lives in 2021.

Now, teens ages 13 to 17 in New York City will be able to sign up for “TeenSpace,” a service in partnership with Talkspace that gives youth access to a licensed therapist via phone, video and text. The program will cost $26 million over the next three years.

“There are few issues more important than the health of our children, and study after study has reinforced what we’ve seen: The mental health of our young people is clearly in decline,” said Dr. Ashwin Vasan, the city’s health commissioner .

“‘TeenSpace’ will provide teens in our city with a tangible resource to support their mental health and well-being and reduce barriers to accessing care, helping teens take greater control of their mental health journey on their own terms .”

Services in Brazil

Here in Brazil there are some really interesting services that you can count on if you need help. One of these is the CVV (Centre for the Valorization of Life), which you can access by calling 188 or via the website (cvv.org.br). There is also a chat that can be used to connect with someone.

Another site that offers this type of service is Mapa da Saúde Mental (mapasaudemental.com.br), with several help options.

You can also ask for professional help at CAPS, in basic health units (family health, post offices and health centres) or in the psychiatric sector of hospitals.

If you suspect an emergency, don’t hesitate: call SAMU (192) or look for an emergency service (in emergency rooms, hospitals or a 24-hour UPA).

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.