‘The kids are not OK’: Boston officials unveil new mental health initiative
The city of Boston unveiled a report on Wednesday detailing increasing mental health issues among city residents — particularly youth — as well as a $21 million initiative to improve services over the next five years.
“Our youth are in crisis,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “Many young people in Boston are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. … An increasing number of high school students have considered and even planned suicide.”
From 2015 to 2021, the percentage of public high school students reporting persistent sadness increased from 26% to almost 44%,…