Youth mental health challenges continue to impact young people at staggering rates. Increasing numbers of youth report experiencing anxiety, sadness, hopelessness, and other mental health struggles. In fact, nearly 40% of high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a significant increase compared to a decade ago (Jenco, M. 2024, August 6). Recent data also shows that about two in five teens experience symptoms of depression each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2026, January 28).