Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative

Anxiety is on the rise among today's youth, manifesting in various ways that can impact their daily lives, relationships, and academic performance. Therapist and author Patti Criswell discusses with podcast host Sierra Ward about anxiety, its different forms, and how it manifests in children and young adults, emphasizing the importance of addressing it early. Watch the full podcast from our SWMJC partner Public Media Network at https://buff.ly/3UuDrWp. #youthmentalhealth

ICYMI, discover how organizations, programs, and community members are taking action to offer support and gun safety education for youth from our SWMJC partner, NowKalamazoo: https://buff.ly/3Aa4IGH

A community that fosters open communication, mental health support, and gun safety can prevent tragic losses. In Kalamazoo and nationwide, children are dying from firearms they often access at home, where many guns are not securely stored. From 2007 to 2018, the firearm suicide rate for young males jumped by about 60%, all according to the CDC WONDER. Check out some community-driven solutions reported by NowKalamazoo at https://buff.ly/48glKzx.

We all want to protect our children and ensure their safety. Youth mental health crises are rising, and the increasing availability of firearms heightens the risk of impulsive actions leading to suicide. Firearm suicide rates have been on the rise across all age groups, but the increase has been especially sharp for people 24 and younger over the past four decades. Learn more about how organizations, programs, and community members are taking action to offer youth spaces for support and gun safety education from our SWMJC partner, NowKalamazoo:

We all want to protect our children and ensure their safety. Youth mental health crises are rising, and the increasing availability of firearms heightens the risk of impulsive actions leading to suicide. Firearm suicide rates have been on the rise across all age groups, but the increase has been especially sharp for people 24 and younger over the past four decades. Learn more about how organizations, programs, and community members are taking action to offer youth spaces for support and gun safety education from our SWMJC partner, NowKalamazoo:

Open communication between teens and adults can make a huge difference in navigating stress and anxiety. Here are some tips collected by a Western Michigan University journalism class from young adults and teens on how to talk to a trusted adult about their mental health needs. Project led by Sue Ellen Christian, WMU Presidential Innovation Professor in Communication.

As mental health experts have observed, back-to-school season can be a particularly stressful time for tweens and teens. Western Michigan University journalism students conducted a student-on-campus audio project, interviewing fellow students about youth mental health and how to speak to an adult about the need for mental health support. Listen to the full audio project here: https://buff.ly/4dITpms. The project was led by Sue Ellen Christian, WMU Presidential Innovation Professor in Communication, and is part of the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative’s youth mental health project supported by Solutions Journalism Network.

Every child deserves access to resources that help them cope with emotional and psychological challenges, fostering their growth and resilience. Traditional therapy approaches may not be enough for everyone, and some young people may feel disconnected or resistant to office-based therapy. Learn about how equine-assisted therapy is offering a powerful, innovative way to support mental health from our SWMJC partner Second Wave Media:

At the heart of our community lies the value of compassion and the commitment to fostering youth well-being. However, teens are facing a growing mental health crisis, with limited access to traditional therapy. Music therapy is emerging as a powerful tool, helping teens express emotions and heal in new ways. Learn more about this solution from a collaborative reporting effort between SWMJC partners @Second Wave Media and @WMUK at: https://buff.ly/3zeW7C9

At the heart of our community lies the value of compassion and the commitment to fostering the well-being of our youth. Yet, teens face a growing mental health crisis, worsened by a lack of accessible therapy options. Learn more about this solution from a collaborative reporting effort between SWMJC partners Second Wave Media and WMUK at: