Talking About Mental Health Suicide Prevention & Crisis Resources: New Orleans & Beyond If you or someone you know is struggling, help is always available, 24/7, free, and confidential.
Cope Crisis Line: Call (504) 269- COPE or Text TWLOHA To 741-741 Covenant House New Orleans (Ages 16-22): (504) 584-1111 , 611 North Rampart St., New Orleans Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority Crisis Line : (504) 832-5123 Metropolitan Human Services District Crisis Line: Call ( 844) 568- 6473 (Orleans, Plaquemines, & St. Bernard Parishes) New Orleans Family Justice Center: (504) 866-9554 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or Text 988 , or Visit louisiana988.org The Trevor Project: Call 866-488- 7386 , Text Start To 678-678 , Or Visit thetrevorproject.org University Medical Center New Orleans Behavioral Health ER: 2000 Canal St., New Orleans Veterans Crisis Line: Call 988 , Then Press 1 , Text 838255 , or Chat via veteranscrisisline.net VIA Link: Call 2-1-1 , Text 898211 , or Chat via vialink.org percent of rural counties in the U.S. have no practicing psychiatrist, and nearly half lack any mental health professionals at all. This shortage means that young people in these areas face longer travel distances to seek care, fewer treatment options, and often, greater stigma within tight-knit communities. Suburban communities, while often better equipped with mental health providers than rural areas, face their
BY SANONNA AL TAWEEL
20 SEPTEMBER 2025 | NOLAFAMILY.COM • The pressure to live a “perfect” life. Constant exposure to others’ (often edited) lives can make people feel like they’re falling short. • Cyberbullying. Online harassment often hopelessness. The survey also reported that 20 percent of high school students seriously considered attempting suicide, and 16 percent had made a plan. THE ROOTS OF THE CRISIS If you’re like me, you read those numbers and your heart sank. How do we have this many young people hurting so badly that they feel they have no other options? The truth is, it’s not just one thing. Today’s generation is facing a myriad of problems. Take social media, for example. While it is a great way to connect with others and have fun, there are many dark sides to it, including: I t’s no secret that we have a mental health crisis on our hands. The evidence of anxiety and depression— particularly among Gen Z—is everywhere: higher rates of self-reported loneliness, surges in emergency room visits related to self-harm and suicidal ideation, and the increased use of social media as an escape from everyday life. A 2023 Harvard survey found that two in five Gen Z young adults ages 18–25 “feel like they don’t matter to others.” That means that 44 percent of that age group is experiencing a deep sense of disconnection. And they’re not the only ones. Based on U.S. data from 2022– 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 11 percent of children ages 3–17 had current, diagnosed anxiety, and 40 percent of high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or
looks like someone “joking” nowadays. People comment thoughtlessly and hurt others’ feelings just to get some likes. • Doomscrolling and access to too much information. I miss the days when my Instagram feed was just people I followed. Now, thanks to AI algorithms, it’s a constant stream of influencers I’ve never heard of, political news, trends you “have” to hop on, and scare- tactic reporting. Another factor contributing to the staggering rates of mental health issues is the long-lasting effects that the pandemic had on our lives. Sure, we’re not stuck inside for months on end anymore, but the disruptions it caused are still being felt. Many young people experienced prolonged social isolation, missing out on crucial milestones like graduations, sports seasons, and time with friends. These losses have left lasting feelings of loneliness and disconnection. At the same time, remote learning created academic gaps and increased stress, with some students struggling to catch up or stay motivated. The uncertainty and fear that marked those years also heightened anxiety about the future, worries that continue to linger as kids and teens navigate a world that suddenly feels less predictable and safe. IT’S NOT AS SIMPLE AS JUST GETTING HELP Despite the growing need, many young people face serious barriers to accessing mental health care. Wait times for therapists and counselors can stretch for months, and insurance coverage is often limited or confusing. For families in rural or underserved areas, finding specialized care for children and teens is even harder. According to Mental Health America, 65
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