Mental health

Three-quarters of students are not getting the help they need

Challenge

Twenty-one percent of youth aged 13 to 18 live with mental illness severe enough to cause significant impairment in their daily lives. Undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues among students, including ADHD, behavior disorders, mood and anxiety disorders, autism spectrum disorders, substance use disorders and suicide — are a serious public health issue. In a screening of 572 LAUSD students, 88% reported experiencing three or more traumatic events in their lifetime, 55% of whom showed symptoms of PTSD, depression or anxiety. LAUSD recorded 7,661 suicidal ideation incident reports in the 2018-2019 school year. What’s worse, three out of four children with mental health needs in California do not receive treatment.

Solution

The L.A. Trust is committed to total student wellness — mind, body and spirit. We advocate for mental health services on- and off-campus and fight the stigma that keeps students and family members from seeking help. We support Student and Family Wellness Centers with best practices and research. We foster mental wellness education through our Wellness Youth Advocates program. And we bring government, educators, the healthcare industry, foundations and community organizations together to secure funding and find common solutions to the silent epidemic of mental illness.

The L.A. Trust: How We’re Addressing the Crisis in Student Mental Health

Resources

Publications