Joshua Nelson will be graduating from his suburban St. Louis high school in just a couple of weeks with a scholarship to Southeast Missouri State in hand. The 18-year-old will have his tuition paid for his pursuit in the school’s pre-optometry program. That isn’t enough for Nelson, who is president of his school’s Multi-Cultural Achievement Committee, which encourages students of color to become college and career ready.

Nelson had saved $1,000 of his own money for college and has decided to create a grant to help another college-bound student in need. He has created the Joshua Nelson Scholarship in Action. He is getting help from parents and teachers to review applications for this special scholarship, with the hope that some donors will help the $1,000 multiply. Nelson said, “I really thought it was important to give back to my community that poured in so much to me. The fact that I can just help somebody a little bit makes me feel great and I really want to see other people succeed.”

Depressive symptoms are more common in teenage girls than in their male peers. However, boys' mental health appears to be affected more if they suffer from obesity. Irrespective of gender, bullying is a considerably greater risk factor than overweight for developing depressive symptoms.

Subtle differences in the shape of the brain that are present in adolescence are associated with the development of psychosis, according to an international team. The 'sobering' results were made using the largest study to date of brain scans in adolescents at risk for psychosis.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health -

Scientists investigated whether the COVID-19 virus could be affecting placental tissue of infected expectant mothers. Their analysis found that while evidence of the virus in the placenta is rare, the placenta in infected mothers tended to exhibit a much higher level of immune system activity than those of non-infected pregnant women, they report.

Many teens have had struggles with anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses due to isolation and stress from the unknown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. One group of teens in California is trying to help. As part of their school’s National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) club, Natalie Tun and Ritik Kumar found a way to help those struggling with mental health.

The teens helped create a support group through Zoom called “Just Like Me.” It is an emotional support group and a way for teens to really communicate with each other about their own mental health struggles. They believe that coping with isolation and loneliness has been one of the hardest parts for teens during the pandemic as they struggle to find someone to connect with. Tun says, “I’ve had a long mental health journey … I find it really helpful to talk to other people and really connect about my own mental health struggles.”

A new report found that one in three teen girls and one in five teen boys have experienced worsening anxiety since March 2020. After a year of living through a pandemic, it’s no surprise that teens are worrying. Beyond concerns regarding COVID-19, many teens report anxiety about their family, schoolwork, future, and health of the planet. Researchers want to remind teens that the discomfort of anxiety has a basic evolutionary function—to get us to tune into the fact that something’s not right or a personal warning system.

Basically, teens should not feel anxious when everything is well, and when you do feel anxious, it should match the scale of the problem before you. Feeling a little tense before a big game or presentation is appropriate and can help your performance. Having a panic attack over it means your anxiety may be going too far. While there are ways for you to try and self-control your anxiety, such as controlled breathing, it may be worth talking to a mental health care provider for advice on how to manage it.

Children experiencing cognitive problems such as low attention, poor memory or lack of inhibition may later suffer mental health issues as teenagers and young adults, a new study reveals.

During the last month, people all over the U.S. and Canada have been speaking out against anti-Asian racism that has been increasing since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Many researchers believe it stems from the possible origination of COVID-19 in China. Even though many Asian Americans and Asian Canadians have never even been to China, there have been many situations where they are associated with the virus and blamed for spreading the disease. Many elderly Asian people have been harassed or attacked in public.

Recently, a group of Asian Canadian teens talked to CBC News about how they have been impacted by the increase of anti-Asian racism and offered their thoughts on ways to deal with and improve the situation. Daniel Li discussed how he joined his school’s multicultural committee, where he and other members empower others to stand up against racism. Yi Ru Lin wanted to remind her peers that they can help combat anti-Asian racism by spreading awareness and positive messages through social media. She said, “Even if you only have 10 followers, sharing can have a snowball effect. It may seem like it makes a tiny difference — but I think it makes a difference.”

A serious lack of or disturbed sleep is one of the most common symptoms of depression among teens. A new study shows that problems with sleep may start before depression, meaning that not getting enough sleep can raise your risk of mental health problems in the future. The study showed that teens who reported sleeping badly at age 15, but did not currently have anxiety or depression, were more likely to experience anxiety or depression when they reached 17, 21, or 24 years of age.

If you have trouble sleeping, try these techniques: make sure you get enough light during the day (in the morning for most people); don’t nap for longer than 20 minutes; don’t eat or exercise, or drink caffeine late in the evening; avoid reading your texts or stressful news topics in bed; keep your bedroom cool, quiet and dark; and try to get up and go to bed at the same time each day.

Getting better sleep won’t on its own solve the mental health crisis, but it may make a difference in the long run. Regardless, there’s nothing better than a good night’s sleep.

Orthopaedic researchers are one step closer to preventing life-long arm and leg deformities from childhood fractures that do not heal properly.

Study finds that a small portion of the risk for repeated cannabis use into adulthood can be attributed to the genetic effects of neuroticism, risk tolerance and depression that can appear during adolescence.

COVID-19 shutdowns have not only greatly impacted teens’ schooling, but also their mental health. In a newly released survey of teens ages 13 to 19, the survey found seven out of 10 teens are struggling with their mental health in the wake of COVID-19 and more than half said the pandemic has increased their feelings of loneliness.

Loneliness was already an issue for many teens, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made it harder for many. Experts recommend that teens talk to a trusted confidant to help get them through periods of isolation. This could be a friend, counselor, teacher, or parent. Talking to someone you trust, keeping a consistent schedule, and focusing on activities you enjoy are all ways to help alleviate stress and anxiety related to loneliness.

Children who are exposed to abuse before they are eleven years old, and those exposed to abuse both in childhood and adolescence may be more likely to develop conduct problems (such as bullying or stealing) than those exposed to abuse in adolescence only and those who are not exposed to abuse, according to a new study.

A new study found that as the amount of time young teenage girls spend using Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms goes up, so does their long-term risk for suicide. These findings were released after a decade of researchers tracking the social media and suicide risk of teens, which is considered the longest such effort to date. Teen boys did not have the same risk patterns, and researchers believe this is due to how teen girls and social media have a similar focus on relationships.

It is important to limit your use of electronic media, but researchers acknowledge that the continuing COVID-19 restrictions can also be having an impact on an increase in social media use and teen mental health. The CDC reminds teens to reach out for help if they or their friends are having suicidal thoughts. There are many resources out there to help, including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline in the U.S. (1-800-273-8255) or Kids Help Phone in Canada (1-800-668-6868). Both are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can also find safe and confidential support services and hotlines on our Hotlines page.

The healthcare data collection nonprofit FAIR Health recently released a study after it analyzed a database of over 32 billion claims. The nonprofit found that mental health claims for teens ages 13–18 nearly doubled at the height of the pandemic in March and April 2020, as compared to the previous year. The study claims disruptions in teens’ routine—such as schools closing, being stuck at home, and online learning—led to more aggression and anxiety issues.

With many schools still in remote learning, some teens may still be feeling like they are missing out on important moments and struggling with these life changes. It is important to remember that these feelings are completely normal during these challenges. Many organizations and health experts recommend that you learn how to practice self-care and prioritize looking after your mental health. Being mindful is one way to manage stress and become more aware of your thoughts and feelings.

A new study of nearly 4,000 school children has found that youngsters who feel they have empathic support from their parents and caregivers are verging away from a wide range of delinquent behavior, such as committing crimes.

Across the U.S., many senior citizens have struggled to schedule appointments to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Whether it is due to a lack of access to a computer or a lack of the technical knowledge needed to complete the process, teens across the country have stepped up to help them. From Long Island, New York, to Seattle, Washington, teen volunteers have put out flyers at local senior centers to volunteer their services to schedule appointments for those in need.

Sisters Ava and Lily Weinstein, ages 15 and 16, of Roslyn, New York, realized they could help senior citizens navigate New York’s scheduling website after helping their own grandparents get vaccination appointments. As more vaccines become available, the sisters have a list of over 150 seniors they plan to help get an appointment. They, like others across the country, are encouraging teens everywhere to help guide seniors through the tech process.

As families settle back into a new school year, sleep experts are reminding parents about the importance of teenagers getting enough sleep, cautioning them that insufficient sleep can negatively affect their mental health.

Fetal exposure to antibiotics in mid to late pregnancy may be linked to a heightened risk of childhood asthma, suggests new research.