In response to the growing mental health crisis in Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration has launched a $21 million initiative in partnership with the Boston Public Schools and the Boston Public Health Commission. This program aims to provide mental and behavioral health services to support the city’s youth and families.
The announcement of funding came alongside the release of the city’s “Health of Boston” report, which highlighted the concerning rise in mental health issues among residents, particularly among young people. According to the report, data from a CDC survey revealed that in 2021, 44% of Boston public high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless every day for two weeks or more. This marked a significant increase from 27% in 2015, with even higher rates observed among female, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ students.
Dr. Kevin Simon, chief behavioral health officer of the Boston Public Health Commission, and Kristan Bagley-Jones, director of the Children’s Wellness Initiative at Franciscan Children’s Hospital, recently discussed this critical health challenge on @Issue with Matt Prichard and Sue O’Connell.
