Detroit and Flint teens are struggling with their mental health – and worried adults around them feel ‘helpless’

September 28, 2026

A Michigan State University researcher and her team conducted focus groups with 25 school personnel at a Detroit high school and held advisory meetings in Flint to understand teen mental health challenges. The study revealed that students are struggling with depression, anxiety, trauma, and exhaustion stemming from economic hardship, housing instability, family responsibilities, and exposure to violence in their communities. School staff reported feeling overwhelmed and insufficiently trained to address student mental health crises, while national data shows alarming rates of persistent sadness and suicidal ideation among teenagers, particularly among young women and LGBTQ+ youth.

Who is affected

Teenagers in southeast Michigan, particularly in Detroit and Flint
Young women (twice as likely to experience persistent sadness and hopelessness compared to young men)
LGBTQ+ teens (two to three times more likely to experience mental health challenges)
Black teens (more likely to report suicide attempts than white teens)
School personnel including teachers, coaches, administrators, and support staff
Parents and caregivers of teenagers
Community members in areas affected by gun violence
A teenage boy who was a fatal victim of gun violence in Flint

What action is being taken

The research team is running five in-person focus groups with school personnel at a Detroit public high school
Community advisory meetings are being held in Flint
The team is organizing an advisory board of 12- to 17-year-olds based in Flint that meets every few months
The research team is developing a model that trains school staff to recognize and support students with physical and mental health concerns while connecting them to additional services
Efforts like the Community Safety Collaborative Dashboard are underway to prevent future gun violence incidents in Detroit and Flint

Why it matters

Teen mental health challenges have reached crisis levels, with nearly 4 in 10 U.S. high school students experiencing persistent sadness and hopelessness and 1 in 5 seriously considering suicide. These struggles are compounded by systemic issues including economic hardship, housing instability, exposure to trauma and violence, and limited access to mental health services in communities. The mental health crisis affects not only teens but also creates stress and burnout among parents and educators, which further impacts student outcomes. Including teens in developing solutions is critical because they best understand barriers to seeking help and what kinds of support would be most effective, emphasizing the need for safe spaces with trustworthy adults who affirm their identities and focus on building thriving lives rather than just preventing crises.

What's next

The research team is working with the teen advisory board to develop a program to promote teen well-being based on their input, focusing on creating spaces with food, fun, social connection, mentorship, and safe adults where teens can speak openly without lectures and judgment.

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com