Underwood, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Murthy Lead Discussion with Students on Growing Youth Mental Health Crisis in Illinois

NAPERVILLE – Today, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14) joined U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to discuss youth mental health and how the U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health addresses the challenges faced by students in Illinois' 14th District. Students from Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville shared their experiences with mental health, the advocacy work they have done at their school and in their community, and their suggestions for what the federal government and local communities can do to better support youth mental health.

"Access to mental and behavioral health services for young people has never been more important," said Underwood. "Hearing firsthand from students about their experiences illustrated how the pandemic has exacerbated the mental health challenges they face. I will take their insights back to Congress and continue working to expand access to care so that every young person can receive the support they need to lead safe and healthy lives.

"I greatly appreciate Dr. Murthy taking the time to speak with students in my community, and I commend his leadership in bringing awareness to the youth mental health crisis,"continued Underwood.

"One of my favorite parts of serving as Surgeon General is speaking with students across the country. I was honored to join Congresswoman Underwood today to speak with students in Naperville about supporting their mental health,"said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. "Children and teens were suffering long before the pandemic, and some of the groups hardest hit by COVID were our most vulnerable young people, youth with disabilities, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ youth, among many others. In our work to rebuild from the pandemic, it is imperative that we prioritize youth mental health with an all-of-society effort so that no child feels that they have to go through a battle alone."

"When schools can partner with local and national leaders on important issues, our students benefit from that collaboration,"said Dr. Lance Fuhrer, Neuqua Valley High School's principal. "Mental health among teens is an ongoing priority for us. Giving our students a chance to use their voice and to have influential people hear them is invaluable."

Among young adults aged 18-25 in Illinois, the rates of those with serious mental illness and those with serious thoughts of suicide increased between 2008 and 2019. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that suicide is the second leading cause of death for people ages 10-24, a rate that increased between 2007 and 2017.

New CDC data demonstrates that youth mental health trends have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Compared with 2019, the proportion of mental health-related visits for children aged 5-11 and 12-17 in 2020 increased by 24% and 31%, respectively. Even before the pandemic, mental health was worsening among high school students, and the pandemic could have wide-ranging, long-term effects on an entire generation.

Recently, Underwood secured $111 million— a nearly 700% year-over-year increase — to expand grant programs at the Department of Education that address the critical shortage of school-based mental health professionals and help school districts hire more staff to improve students' access to services.

In August 2021, Underwood introduced the bicameral Child Suicide Prevention and Lethal Means Safety Act to address the alarming rates of suicide among children and young adults. Underwood's bill would provide funding for evidence-based trainings on youth suicide prevention to current and future health care professionals. Additionally, the bill creates a centralized database of resources where at-risk youth and their families, medical and nursing schools, and health care professionals can turn for best practices in suicide prevention.

Underwood long advocated for youth mental health support and launched a behavioral health resource page on her website. Visit here for more information.

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