Statewide rally held to urge leaders to address mental health crisis in children

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Hundreds of parents, children, and mental health advocates held a statewide rally on Sunday to urge leaders to address the mental health crisis affecting children. They are calling for increased support for children, youth, and families.

Since the pandemic, critical mental health screenings and access to services have declined, and rates of anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation among children are soaring. Rally speakers raised awareness of the pressing mental health issues impacting New York children, and shared personal stories, and experiences that highlight the urgent policy solutions needed to help children, youth, and families thrive.

The rally is hosted by the Campaign for Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids, with individual the events hosted by Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York, Families Together in New York State, and the New York State Coalition for Children’s Behavioral Health.

News10NBC was at one of the rallies in Rochester hosted by Bipoc Peek. Through rallies like these, organizers hope they can remove the negative stigma surrounding mental health care.