While visiting Cleveland in April, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy met with several groups, including students, to talk about what he calls a “growing mental health crisis” among children.
Students from CMSD’s Civics 2.0, a program where students learn and act on issues that matter to them, met privately with Surgeon General Murthy and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb at City Hall.
“The simple fact that we are getting to be in the room and offering solutions directly toward the leaders shows that they care," said Chardon an eleventh grader at Cleveland School of Science and Medicine.
"They are willing to make a change because they see something wrong, and they see us as a solution.”
During the hour-long conversation, students shared reasons they believe students are suffering from anxiety and depression.
Chardon said he told the Surgeon General that he doesn’t believe the pandemic necessarily causes mental health issues with children.
“It was actually the aftermath of COVID and how people responded to it,” he said.
Other reasons offered for mental health concerns that students discussed with Bibb and Murthy included
the proliferation of social media and rampant gun violence.
Gun violence prevention is the major topic of discussion and student activism for Civics 2.0 this academic year.
“People are desensitized to social media and gun violence, and its been normalized by society,” said Zhariya, an eleventh grader at Garrett Morgan School of Leadership and Innovation.
Many of the students said they believe it was a productive conversation that could have an impact.
"I really feel like the surgeon general was very, very concerned,” said Evylyse, a senior at Rhodes College and Career Academy. “I feel like he really does want to take a step forward when it comes to mental health.”
Evylyse added that she hopes the conversation will generate free or low-cost resources for teens to make their mental health a priority.
If you or a friend need assistance, call 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
