NY Youth Mental Health Crisis Had Family Facing Teen Suicide Attempts – Lohud

Walking a Tightrope: A Mother’s Fight for Better Youth Mental Health

For years, Betsy Sharma navigated the complexities of motherhood, shielding her daughters from the harsh realities of an increasingly demanding world. Unbeknownst to her, beneath the surface of typical adolescence, a dark storm was brewing—a silent battle with mental health, one that would push her family to the edge of devastation.

A Descent into Darkness

First, there were subtle signs—withdrawal into private worlds, anxiety about social interactions, a reluctance to engage.

Sharma, aware of the turbulence of the teenage years, tread carefully, hesitant to push her daughters, Phoebe and Libby, when they retreated into the sanctuary of their rooms.

“It unfolds in a really insidious way,” Sharma later reflected, “because you know that at 13, children are changing anyway. And they want more independence and to be alone, spend more time with their friends.”

Increasingly, the lines between normal adolescent behavior and something far more serious began to blur.

Hours spent immersed in smartphones and social media, particularly the messaging app Discord, seemed harmless at first; an extension of adolescence in the digital age.

But the girls’ retreat into themselves deepened. School became a momentary escape, their rooms once more, a refuge shrouded in constant darkness.

Their once vibrant presence in their home had been replaced by fleeting shadows passing through like ghosts.

Then came the whispers, the terrifying whispers of suicide…

Navigating a Broken System

Sharma’s experience underscored a harsh reality: the horrifying inadequacy of New York’s youth mental health system, one riddled with long waits, system-wide shortages, and a pervading belief that serious intervention only happens at moments of utter desperation.

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Years of painstakingly advocating for better mental health treatment left Sharma emotionally exhausted, wrestling with a system that often felt more hindering than helpful.

“I kd. It was only after they finally found the right balance of medication and therapy that they began sharing their stories, cannibalizing for better, pushing for change at schools, in the community

Fighting foresser.

Sharma’s story isn’t unique. It reflects the countless families in New York and across the nation struggling to navigate a system that often pushes families to the brink before offering help.

A decade-long investigation by USA Today Network revealed the grim reality: youth mental health, starved of comprehensive care and often designated only when matters reach crisis stage – a crisis driven by systemic flaws and societal stigmas.

The consequences are devastating: rising hospitalization rates for teens battling overwhelming despair.

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In New York alone, over half of teen girls and nearly one in three teen boys reported feeling persistently hopeless, the stats alarmingly on the rise year after year.

The imght against Big Tech, urging government accountability

Sharma’s journey, intertwined with the powerful narratives of countless other families, centers around a relentless pursuit: the need for accessible care, not simply reactive responses.

This fight extends beyond individual families, mobilizing communities and public officials, demanding a dramatic overhaul of the existing system.</p

* What were the specific challenges Betsy Sharma⁤ encountered when seeking help for her daughters’ mental health in New York?

## A Mother’s Fight: Finding Help in a Broken System

**Host:**⁢ Welcome back to‌ the⁣ show.‌ Today we’re talking about a pressing issue facing families across the country: youth mental⁤ health. Joining us today is Betsy Sharma, a mother⁤ who bravely shared her family’s⁢ harrowing journey​ navigating her daughters’ struggles with‌ mental illness. Betsy, thank you for being here.

**Betsy Sharma:** Thank you for⁢ having me.

**Host:** Your⁢ story, as detailed in your ⁢piece ‌”Walking ​a Tightrope,” is heartbreaking. You spoke about the initial‌ subtle signs, the gradual⁣ withdrawal, and the difficulty in distinguishing​ between‌ typical ‍teenage behavior and something more serious. What advice ‌would you give to other parents who might be observing similar changes in their children?

**Betsy Sharma:** It’s truly a tightrope walk. Your instincts are powerful, trust them. If something feels off, if your child seems unusually withdrawn or anxious, don’t dismiss it. Keep the lines of communication open, and most importantly, seek⁤ professional help. ⁤Don’t wait for things to worsen.

**Host:** You ⁢mentioned the ⁤inadequacy of New ⁣York’s youth mental health system. Could you elaborate on that? What specific challenges did⁣ you encounter?

**Betsy Sharma:**⁣ The lack of readily available resources ‌was shocking. Long wait times ‌for appointments, limited treatment options, and a general shortage of qualified professionals ‍were ‌overwhelming. It felt like we ​were constantly navigating a maze of bureaucracy while our daughters​ were desperatly in need⁣ of help.

**Host:** Thankfully, resources like⁣ the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s⁢ National Helpline are available, offering 24/7 support and referrals. [[1](https://www.nichd.nih.gov/ncmhep/initiatives/moms-mental-health-matters/find-help)]What ‍message ⁢do you have for families struggling right now?

**Betsy​ Sharma:** You ‍are not alone. Please know that help is available, ‌even when it’s hard to⁣ see. Reach out‍ to ‌organizations⁤ like SAMHSA, connect‍ with ​other families facing similar struggles, and never give ⁢up hope.