Rick Yang, 17, a senior at Scarsdale High School in New York, said schools are facing a youth mental health crisis and need to involve students in finding solutions.
The Jed Foundation, an organization that promotes mental health and suicide prevention in teens and young adults, named Yang one of two recipients of the 2024 Mental Health Student Voices Award in recognition of state and local advocacy efforts. I was honored as one of them.
Yang, who is Chinese-American, was inspired to take action after seeing the barriers her fellow Asian-American friends faced seeking mental health treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. He attributes some of those barriers to the “model minority myth.” This term refers to the cultural stereotype of Asian American students as high achievers and academically talented, a perception that can lead some adults and colleagues to overlook their needs. there is.
He later advocated for establishing a wellness center within the school district.He also co-founded Frontiers of Fulfillment, a group that provides online coaching to student leaders advocating for policies such as waiving school absences for mental health.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
How has your experience during the COVID-19 pandemic influenced your advocacy?
During that time, I was pretty isolated. [the beginning of] Pandemic. As a freshman, I can tell you that the transition from middle school to high school wasn’t all that great. I started high school half-remote, half-in-person, and it was pretty surreal living in a world where I was stuck in my room most of the time.
I was pretty depressed and would lock myself in my room and play every video game imaginable. And sometimes I couldn’t even eat dinner with my family. And I think it was definitely that experience, combined with what I had experienced with my friend, that showed me that student mental health was a real concern that needed to be addressed.
My friend and I FaceTimed every night. She was depressed and wanted to ask for help, but her parents wouldn’t let her at first. They eventually did and she was actually diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She is doing very well now. She is growing well now.
My hypothesis is that because I come from a relatively high-achieving community with many Asian Americans, the model minority myth is holding me back. [her family] From asking for help. They didn’t want her to seem weak because she is a good student.
How does your cultural identity as a Chinese American influence your work?
Culture and mental health are often interconnected. When addressing mental health issues in a particular community, I think it’s important to understand how people in that community have grown up.
I try to highlight the diversity of Asian Americans. Because obviously we’re not all the same. But many of us have encountered the model minority myth even through subtle microaggressions in the hallway. I strive to promote education among adults, including teachers, to break down some of the barriers that may prevent students from seeking care.
How can schools effectively address student mental health?
To reach students effectively, mental health support must be comprehensive. That means all students need to be considered, supported and protected. What works for one student may not work for another. There is no one-size-fits-all approach.
What I respect about the Jed Foundation is that [its] A comprehensive approach to mental health promotion and suicide prevention. From learning about life skills to having a counseling center, we recognize that happiness has multiple areas and it can make a difference in someone’s life.
At the end of the day, I think schools need to listen to their students themselves.
How have you advocated for student mental health in your school district?
The main initiative I started is called SchoolSight. In 2021, I realized the need to address the stress students are facing at Scarsdale High School. I attended a meeting with Congressman Jamal Bowman and developed a proposal that would essentially bring school-based universal wellness centers to Westchester County, which eventually blossomed into a county-wide initiative.
The response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic.We have begun creating a blueprint for introducing these [centers] It started with a pilot at my high school, a universal wellness space for all students. So far, he has secured more than $125,000 in grants to develop these spaces. Includes a stress relief zone with bean bags and yoga balls, board games, and a private study area. Eventually, we would like to expand to other areas.
What do you want educators to know about student mental health?
If we truly want to make a difference, we need to not only allow young people to have a voice, but actively encourage them. We must create an environment where young people feel safe to express their thoughts, struggles and ideas and to treat them as equal partners. Young people develop a sense of ownership and empowerment when they see their ideas and feedback taken seriously.
I think school administrators, policy makers, and community leaders need to not only try to create a platform for youth to express their opinions, but actually use those voices in decision-making. Co-creation and ownership are essential for young people to feel supported.
