By Guest Columnist Dr. Stephanie Duguid
The mental health of children and teenagers is at a crossroads in Mississippi, with alarming statistics highlighting the urgency of the situation.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General, the number of adolescents reporting at least one major depressive episode in the past year has increased by nearly 90%.
Shockingly, three million young people nationwide have had serious thoughts of suicide, and nearly three-quarters of youth in distress are not receiving the care they need. These numbers are a wake-up call for families, educators, and communities to act.
Canopy Children’s Solutions talked to Mississippi Health Ambassadors Initiative last month about the state’s challenges, which it is stepping up to address. A nonprofit organization with over 110 years of service, Canopy provides innovative behavioral health, educational, and family support solutions.
Among Mississippi’s challenges is a severe shortage of school-based mental health professionals. For example, the current ratio of social workers to students in Mississippi is 1:4,956 -- 20 times higher than the recommended 1:250. Addressing this gap alone would require over $223 million in additional funding for staffing and training.
Canopy programs, however, provide scalable, cost-effective solutions that make a difference right now.
Each year, Canopy reaches nearly 8,000 children and their families across all 82 counties of Mississippi. Their programs, such as CARES Schools and Behavioral Health Clinics, aim to meet children where they are and provide crucial support.
Canopy Anywhere, a tech-enabled mental health solution, is one of the organization’s standout programs that screens, educates, and engages youth and families based on specific needs, offering a pathway to hope. Hope, as Canopy emphasizes, is the belief that the future can be better and that individuals have the power to make it so. It has been shown to be a critical factor in academic success, emotional well-being, and recovery from mental illness.
Families can take simple steps to support their children’s mental health:
Open communication is vital -- listen without judgment and encourage children to share their feelings.
Create a structured yet flexible routine to reduce stress.
Familiarize yourself with local resources like Canopy Children’s Solutions, which offer counseling, crisis intervention, and other mental health services.
Together, we can make a brighter future for Mississippi’s youth.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Dr. Stephanie Duguid is owner of Do Good ProHealth (CPR Classes) and Do Good Leadership (motivational speaking, and leadership and success coaching). She is also a Mississippi Health Ambassador.
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