Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services provides compassionate youth-centered services and training for communities to support mental health and suicide prevention, including peer-to-peer support.

Youth mental health has been in decline for over a decade, and new data from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention underscores the urgency of the crisis. Despite a slight decline from 42% in 2021 to 40% in 2023, nearly half of the surveyed teens report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. The data reveals that the crisis is most acute among teen girls and LGBTQ+ youth, with more than half of youth in the groups struggling with mental health and thoughts of suicide. New data from the National Institutes of Health also shows that suicide is the fifth leading cause of death among preteen girls ages 8-12.

The statistics highlight the critical need for accessible, compassionate and effective mental health support for young people, according to Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services. Didi Hirsch is a leader in mental health and crisis care and the home of the nation’s most comprehensive Suicide Prevention Center. It provides mental health support to youth in Los Angeles and across the nation.

Services include youth-focused programs such as Teen Line, a peer-to-peer support hotline that connects youth with professionally trained teen listeners who provide mental health support, and Our Third Place, a newly opened drop-in center for young people to access mental health services, meet basic needs and find community. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, operated by Didi Hirsch in Los Angeles and surrounding areas, also provides counseling.

The Teen Line is available from 6-10 p.m. at (800)852-8336, or text TEEN to 839863. To reach Our Third Place, call (818)244-7257 and press option 5 for information on services, hours and location. No referrals needed. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours for free, compassionate and confidential support. For information about Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, visit crisiscare.org.