Isolation, pressure and substance use: Children and teens facing ‘mental health tsunami,’ experts say

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, on top of mounting societal pressures and substance use issues, has created a surge in mental health challenges like stress, anxiety and depression for today’s kids and teens, experts say.

Local health and school leaders shared some of the challenges teens are facing today in a panel discussion called State of the Child, hosted by Wedgwood Christian Services at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park on Tuesday, March 22.