Americans are facing mental health and substance use challenges at alarming rates. These conditions were already on the rise before the pandemic, but the toll of COVID-19 on people of all ages has been significant. Following President Biden’s State of the Union Address on March 1, 2022, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra kicked off his National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health. Improving mental health and wellness is a priority for the President and the Secretary, particularly addressing those challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, including substance use disorder, youth mental health issues, and suicide.
Children and Youth Mental Health
Young people show alarming increases in the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and other behavioral health challenges that have consistently increased over the past decade, recent national surveys show. Last year, the Surgeon General issued a new Advisory (PDF | 1 MB) to highlight the urgent need to address the youth mental health crisis. The Advisory pointed out that the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates the pre-existing mental health challenges and substance use disorders that children and youth face.
Federal Resources
As agencies committed to addressing youth behavioral health, we have focused our resources to provide a wide range of evidence-based resources and supports to our schools, families, and communities through a comprehensive system of care.