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

School personnel in Detroit and community members in Flint reported concerns about teens experiencing mental health conditions.

By: Crystal Cederna, Michigan State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 25, 2026

Words: 1,333

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 2 days ago

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By Crystal Cederna, Michigan State University

Teens in southeast Michigan go to school carrying with them far more than backpacks, books and water bottles.

Many are shouldering economic hardship, exposure to adversity and discrimination, family responsibilities, uncertainty about the future and social pressures.

These sentiments were shared with our research teams repeatedly during focus groups we held in Detroit in 2024 and during 2026 community advisory meetings in Flint.

I am a pediatric …

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