Teen Mental Health

Supporting Teens and Families Struggling with Mental Health

With funding provided by the state, North Carolina YMCAs are working to increase awareness about mental health resources available to teens and their families in 2024 and beyond. 

Many teens in North Carolina and nationwide are experiencing mental health challenges.  According to a 2022 study of teens, conducted by the National Alliance of Mental Illness, 1 in 6 teens reported experiencing negative emotions all the time or often, and 1 in 4 have been diagnosed with a mental health condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published its 2021 study of Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System (YRBSS)

  • The study shows that North Carolina's students in grades 9 through 12 experienced an uptick in suicidal behaviors since 2019.
  • Additionally, there was an increase in reported rates of depression, with nearly 34% of students surveyed in 2021 saying their mental health was not good most of the time or always.

We all have mental health. Mental health is how we think, feel and act. The best way to normalize and have a positive impact on mental health is to talk about it.

Suicide Help

We can all help prevent suicide. Call or text 988 for free support 24/7.

The YMCA Has the Teen Mental Health Resources You Need

The Y recognizes the significant impact that experiences tied to identity, real-life events, and stress have on young people’s mental health. Therefore, we are committed to doing everything possible to destigmatize mental health issues, support the different communities we serve, and provide the education and resources our young people are looking for.

All information on this website, including but not limited to text, graphics, images, and other material contained herein is for educational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnoses, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new healthcare regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it  because of something you have read on this website. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. 
 
The best person to give you medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment is your doctor or another qualified medical professional. Getting good care means talking personally with your doctor, who can learn about you and ask you questions, carry out an exam, and order tests when necessary. Your doctor also can help guide you to qualified psychologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, and other experts in emotional, behavioral, and mental issues. 
 
If you are a teen or a kid and have questions, the first place to start is with your parent or guardian, who can either talk to you about your concern or help you find someone who can answer your question. Your parent, doctor, school nurse, school counselor, or another adult relative may also be able to provide guidance on where to find the help you need. 
 
Using our website or services may link to third-party websites, services, applications, resources, and information that originated and are developed outside of the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, The National Council of Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America, and YMCA of the USA (collectively referred to as YMCA). These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only. They do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the YMCA of any of the products, services, or opinions of the corporation or organization, or individual. The YMCA bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality, or content of the external site or subsequent links. Contact the external site directly for answers to questions regarding its content. YMCA is not responsible for any personal information collected through these means. Any interactions you have with these websites, services, or applications are beyond the control of the YMCA. When you post information to or through such services, those websites, privacy policies, and cookie usage policies apply directly. 
 
We urge you to read the privacy and security policies of any external websites before providing any personal information while accessing those websites. 
The YMCA is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to Youth Development, Healthy Living, and Social Responsibility. 

This resource hub is for educational purposes only.