Students are struggling with mental health; that is not even a question anymore, with every 1 in 3 high school students reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness that have affected their participation in regular activities. In addition, in this past year alone, every 1 in 6 students have reported making a plan for suicide. These statistics can be even greater in certain demographics like the LGBTQ+ community.

This information makes things seem bleak, however, it is not hopeless because adolescents are very resilient when given the right support. Please Pass the Love knows that feeling connected can help protect youths from health risks and promote positive mental health. According to an article by the CDC, school, and family connectedness have been proven to promote positive mental health and help reduce the risk of substance abuse, violence, suicide, and sexual risk. With the right support systems in place, things can get better.