Half of all chronic mental illness begins by age 14. And more than two-thirds of young people report experiencing at least one traumatic event by the age of 16. There are dire consequences to these numbers IF they’re not addressed. As researchers point out, untreated traumatic stress and mental health can lead to school dropouts, suicide and more. For these reasons and others, a number of teens in Rochester are fighting back against these statistics to help their peers not only develop the skills they need to survive but to also provide them with the means to heal. The teens are youth organizers with Rochester’s Teen Empowerment and they’re hosting a series of workshops this summer for teens, by teens addressing trauma and mental health.
WATCH: Teens helping other teens heal from mental trauma
