10 | MAY 20 • 2021 

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onfirming the value and impact of 
its We Need to Talk initiative that 
raises awareness and provides out-
reach, education and training in response 
to the national youth mental health crisis, 
the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit on 
May 20 released the results of a study that 
revealed that although local teens experi-
ence a higher than national average rate of 
anxiety and depression, most do not feel 
that mental illness is a stigma and will reach 

out for help. 
Half of those surveyed believe they are 
not alone in managing their mental health, 
and six in 10 say they have the training and 
the tools to help their peers access the right 
professional resources for help with anxiety, 
depression and thoughts of suicide. 
The survey found that Detroit’s Jewish 
youth were diagnosed with mental health 
conditions at a higher-than-average nation-
wide rate. But, in an encouraging note, it 

revealed that more than half of the youth 
are resilient and skilled in overcoming their 
mental health challenges, with many turn-
ing to family and friends as the first line of 
support and then knowing where or how to 
get professional help. 
Ashley Schnaar, youth mental health 
coordinator and planning associate for 
Federation and one of the principal inves-
tigators of the study, said the results were 
“far more encouraging than expected” and 
is evidence that We Need To Talk is fulfilling 
its goals. 
“The results are a lot more positive 
than we thought, especially the answers to 
questions relating to the possibility of feel-
ing stigmatized or isolated due to mental 
health,
” Schnaar said. “With We Need to 
Talk, the Federation has been ahead of the 
curve in comparison to what other com-
munities are offering or studying or giving 
attention to mental health. We hope our 
programs here in Detroit will serve as a 
model for other communities.
” 

SNAPSHOT OF RESPONDENTS
Of the 85 youth who responded:
• 32% said they have been diagnosed with 
a mental health condition. This compares 
to about 20% of 9- to 17-year-olds nation-
ally.
• 64% reported feeling comfortable talking 
openly about their mental health, only 4% 
strongly disagreed with this statement. 
53% of youth reported they do not feel 
stigmatized for their mental health. 
• 64% recognized their resilience in taking 

OUR COMMUNITY

FEDERATION

continued on page 12

Positive
Teen Mental 
Health News
Survey reveals stigma of mental illness fading; 
teens comfortable with seeking help.

STACY GITTLEMAN CONTRIBUTING WRITER

LEFT: How teens report accessing help with their mental health challenges.
RIGHT: Percentage of teens reporting they were diagnosed with a mental health condition.

