FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Since the start of the #COVID-19 #pandemic, more #children and #teens are experiencing #mentalhealthchallenges, according to a new report from the U.S. Surgeon General.

"#Mentalhealthchallenges in #children, #adolescents, and young #adults are real and widespread. Even before the #pandemic, an alarming number of young people struggled with feelings of helplessness, #depression, and thoughts of #suicide - and rates have increased over the past decade." Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said.

WATCH | Q&A: #Youth #mentalhealthcrisis during #COVID-19 #pandemic

Dr. Darien Sutton talks about a concerning new report into the #mentalhealth of #children.

Murthy is calling for a swift and coordinated response to this crisis, and Cumberland County mother Ilana Sheppard agrees.

"I struggle every day with the guilt, it's not something you ever envision as a mother," Sheppard said.

Her son Marius ended his life at just 17 years of age. Marius struggled with #mentalhealth from an early age, but the #pandemic made it harder than ever to get the help he needed.

Appointments with specialists became harder and harder to book. Eventually Marius was able to get an appointment, but even then he didn't get help.

"He had gotten turned away because he didn't have an ID, since he was 17 and hadn't gotten an ID, so they turned him away. The following week he was gone. He had taken his own life," Sheppard said.

#Isolation and lack of resources made Marius' #depression worse. It's a much too common story among kids and #teens since the #pandemic started.

"I could fill up my offices with #mentalhealthprofessionals and there would still be a waiting list," John Bigger said.

Bigger is the Corporate Director of #SleepHealth and #Behavioral Medicine at Cape Fear Hospital. He said these tragedies need to be acknowledged and destigmatized.

"It's not just throwing money at a problem. We need the funding and to use it properly to research and develop effective treatments that work effectively," Bigger said.

Sheppard has since started a foundation named in Marius' honor to help others who have lost or are risk of losing a loved one to #suicide.

"He wanted to save the world and make a difference, and if I can do that through this foundation then I'm going to do whatever I can," Sheppard said.

#JamesDonaldson notes:

Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.

Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.

Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle

 
https://standingabovethecrowd.com/2022/02/jamesdonaldson-on-mentalhealth-covid-19-pandemic-blamed-for-uptick-of-children-battling-depression-anxiety-suicidalthoughts/