The United States surgeon general, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, recently warned that young people are facing “devastating” mental health effects because of the challenges experienced by their generation, including the coronavirus pandemic. He noted that the pandemic intensified mental health issues that were already widespread by the spring of 2020.
He further indicated that there are significant increases in self-reports of depression, anxiety and emergency-room visits for mental health challenges. In the United States, emergency room visits for suicide attempts rose 51 percent for adolescent girls in early 2021 as compared with the same period in 2019. The figure rose 4 percent for boys.
Macedonia FACE is currently facilitating workshops in two area schools to promote self-awareness, healthy relationships, and resilience. Our school partners are Pittsburgh Milliones University Preparatory School and Dickson Preparatory STEAM Academy.
Staff member, Warner Johnson, along with intern, Siji Opeaiye, are facilitating the boy’s groups and staff member, Taylor Stewart, along with intern, Morgan Benek are facilitating the girl’s groups.
The One Circle Foundation originated the nationally recognized evidence- based curriculums used to structure the conversations with youth. They also provided scholarships enabling our staff to receive training to facilitate the groups.
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