Breaking Silence: The Growing Youth Mental Health Crisis
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for NYC teens ages 15-19, and the third leading cause of death among NYC children ages 5-14, according to a 2021-2022 report. Trends show that struggles with mental health are occurring in children at earlier ages, underpinning a need for early crisis intervention before high school—a time that is already socially and emotionally stressful for many young people. Additionally, the effects of the pandemic on learning and socialization have compounded mental health struggles, for some more than others.
The youth mental health crisis is further exacerbated by the profound impact of racism—a public health crisis of its own. Centuries of systemic racism have cast a long shadow on the mental health of communities of color, with negative repercussions manifesting through various social determinants of health such as unstable housing, food insecurity, and access to affordable healthcare. According to a 2023 report, a 38% of NYC high school students reported feeling so sad and hopeless that they discontinued normal activities in 2021, with Black and Latinx students more likely to experience these feelings than white students. That same year, the proportion of Black teens in NYC who felt sad and hopeless increased from 34% in 2019 to 41%. These statistics underscore the necessitation of a strategic intervention that is both trauma-informed and anti-racist.
Against the backdrop of alarming trends, the YMCA of Greater New York (YGNY) is positioned to respond to the multifaceted challenges posed by this crisis and address emerging community needs. Central to the Y's commitment to youth well-being is a comprehensive and proactive approach: by establishing cost-free safe spaces for engagement with peers and staff, the Y actively cultivates a supportive community that nurtures the mental and emotional well-being of our city's teens.
The Y’s Senior Director of Citywide Teen Programming, Nicole Cruz, is central to cultivating a community of support, inclusivity, and safety through the Y’s teen programs. As a youth mental health first aid trainer, Cruz trains youth-facing staff in teen risk management to empower and equip staff to establish stronger relationships with our youth. “There's no level of staffing that I haven't experienced myself,” Cruz said, having been with the Y for almost 15 years, “My trainings are stronger because I have done all the things that we ask our staff members to do.”
The Y’s teen programming addresses the diverse needs of our teens in many ways, guided by the principles of social-emotional learning (SEL). Recently, in response to the alarming trends in teen mental health, the Y launched Teen Night Out as an evidence-based pilot program designed to provide an inclusive, engaging environment for teens ages 13-18 to combat social isolation and foster a sense of belonging among peers and trained advisors. In addition to this Saturday programming, we offer Saturday Night Lights so that teens can enjoy a safe Saturday evening at a time where teen arrests for violent crime are increasing in the city. These programs are born out of a need to keep our teens safe because without that security, we cannot do the work of supporting their academics, health and wellness, and personal and professional growth.
In a city where only 57% of NYC high school graduates are college ready, our comprehensive college and career access program Y Rowe Scholars stands as a beacon of support, providing curriculum-based workshops, college tours, career events, and academic planning so that our students are set up for success throughout high school, in college, and beyond. In the 2021-2022 school year, our Y Rowe Scholars achieved a 97% graduation rate compared to 84% citywide, and 94% of our graduates matriculated to college, compared to 66% citywide. Building upon this success, Leaders Club encourages social emotional growth to fill the gaps of mentorship lacking in schools. Students meet weekly in small groups to develop interpersonal skills, self-advocacy, and a growth mindset by leading service-based projects in their communities. Another program that fosters participation in school and community life is Teens Take the City, a civic engagement program that empowers teens to affect change—because our youth’s futures are our city’s future. And at the Y, we are deeply invested in what we can do today to create a better tomorrow for all.
“We are the second home to young people. We are the community resource. We are the safe space,” Cruz said. “And what I love about the Y is that we make room for what's necessary. The Y moves to respond to what the community needs.”
MLK Day of Service: Teens with Dreams
Across the city, teen advisors facilitated service projects, workshops, and activities centered around advocacy and human rights, providing teens with safe spaces to discover and explore their ability to affect change in their communities.
At the Flatbush Y--a branch serving predominantly Black neighbors--over 105 teens came together to participate in community building activities. Teens from Flatbush and surrounding neighborhoods like East New York watched a moving documentary on MLK’s life, covering issues of civil rights, segregation, and racism. After the viewing, advisors facilitated a Q&A session with Edward Raymond, a member of the NYPD and Flatbush community, who spoke about his experience as a Black police officer. At a time when the Flatbush and East New York neighborhoods are experiencing an alarmingly high rate of gun violence—ranking within the top four NYC neighborhoods most affected by gun violence according to data from the NYPD—having this open dialogue is meaningful for our teens and ultimately reflective of MLK’s legacy.
As a mainstay citywide event that continues to grow, we look forward to deepening our impact with supporters like you and driving meaningful conversations and actions around social justice issues affecting our communities of color—not just on January 15, but throughout the year.
Building Bright Futures with Con Edison
Con Edison is well known to New Yorkers as the energy supplier that keeps the lights on. But for the Y, they help light the way for our newest New Yorkers, teens, and summer campers.
A valued partner of the Y for the last 30 years, Con Edison remains steadfast in their commitment to engage, advocate for, and empower New Yorkers—a mission we proudly share. Their investment in our community programs is a testament to their dedication to creating pathways for equity and inclusion in the communities they serve. We are grateful for their generous support of our New Americans Initiative (NAI) serving recent immigrants and our civic engagement program Teens Take the City (TTC). Additionally, Con Edison provides scholarships for Y Summer Day Camp to support working families and ensure that campers from all backgrounds can learn, grow, and thrive together.
Last year, their generous grant of $164,000 allowed us to grow these three signature Y programs by expanding access for more teens, immigrants, and summer campers. For example, more teens learned to be agents of change in their communities, thanks to Con Edison. Participants in Teens Take the City dedicated months to researching and proposing solutions to issues impacting their communities and in a culmination of their hard work, presented their proposals at two City Hall events—an opportunity we are proud to offer NYC teens with Con Edison’s support. Together, we are fueling our city’s future.
The Y is grateful to have a partner who is committed to serving New Yorkers who need us most. Thank you, Con Edison, for being a partner in creating stronger, brighter communities.
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Team Y Champions Gears up for Bike Race
On May 5, tens of thousands of cyclists will shut down NYC traffic for the ride of a lifetime: 40 miles, 5 boroughs. Whether you're a seasoned or casual rider, Team Y Champions invites you to pedal with a purpose in the country’s largest charitable bike race, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour.
All proceeds raised by Y Champions support the Y’s essential community services and programs in your neighborhood. Participants will also receive exclusive Y gear, group training opportunities, and priority race day amenities. Now that’s a ride with a reason!
Applications for Team Y Champions are now open, and space is limited – sign up today!
Biking not your forte? We run the TCS NYC Marathon too! Starting in March, applications open to grab a coveted spot on Y Champions for the November 3 race.