West Virginia is at a pivotal moment when it comes to teen mental health.

Across the country, young people ages 12 to 17 are experiencing rising levels of stress, anxiety and emotional distress. National surveys show that mental health challenges among adolescents are widespread and growing. Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. youth ages 12 to 17 have experienced a major depressive episode in the past year, and roughly 40% of high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, well before adulthood and often affecting school performance, relationships and daily functioning.

About 18,000 West Virginians between the ages of 12 to 17 have experienced depression, with many also facing anxiety or other behavioral health issues. Here in West Virginia, more than 1 in 5 youth report symptoms of anxiety or depression, reflecting broader national trends and underscoring the need for statewide support and early intervention.

Teenagers today are navigating academic pressure, social media, family instability, trauma and identity development, often all at once. At the same time, their brains are still developing. Research shows that the areas responsible for judgment, impulse control and long-term decision-making are not fully mature until the mid-20s. As a result, emotions can feel overwhelming, problems can feel permanent and moments of distress can escalate quickly.

Research also tells us something critically important: talking saves lives.

Even a single conversation with a trusted adult can help a teen pause, gain perspective and feel supported. Talking reminds young people that difficult moments are temporary and that help is always within reach.

At the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in West Virginia, we support individuals and families across the lifespan. Increasingly, we are hearing a clear and consistent message from communities statewide: teens need more support, more safe spaces and more adults who feel equipped to talk with them before a crisis occurs.

Teen mental health is not just a healthcare issue. It is an educational issue, a community issue, a workforce issue and ultimately, a public health issue. The teenagers we support today become the young adults, parents, leaders and workers of tomorrow. If we fail to invest in their mental and emotional well-being now, the consequences will follow us for decades.

That is why conversation matters so much. Talking about mental health does not plant ideas or make things worse. It builds trust, strengthens connection and opens the door to help.

Avoiding the conversation does the opposite. It isolates young people at the very moment they need support most.

Parents can start by asking their teens how they are really doing and listening without judgment. Teachers, coaches and youth leaders should know that their presence and words carry more weight than they may realize. Communities can help by creating environments where it is safe to talk about hard things without shame.

In recognition of the growing need to prioritize teen mental health, NAMI in West Virginia will lead the first-ever Teen Mental Health Awareness Week in West Virginia, March 2-6, focused on prevention, education and equipping trusted adults with tools to support teens. The effort reflects a simple but powerful belief: our future depends on the mental health of our young people.

That future starts with conversation.

To learn more about Teen Mental Health Awareness Week, access resources and find training opportunities, visit teenmentalhealthwv.org.

(Julie Gomez is the executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in West Virginia. NAMI is the largest grassroots mental health organization in the United States.)