America’s teens are facing a crisis that can no longer be ignored. According to the CDC, over 80,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2024, and disturbingly, three out of four overdose deaths among youth ages 10–19 involved illegally manufactured fentanyl. At the same time, mental health challenges are surging: in 2023, 40% of high school students said they stopped their usual activities because of persistent sadness or hopelessness, while one in five seriously considered suicide. These overlapping struggles—substance use and mental health—create a dangerous cycle, leaving young people especially vulnerable during a pivotal stage of life.
To address this, the CDC launched the Free Mind campaign in August 2025, a nationwide effort aimed at teens and their caregivers. The campaign focuses on raising awareness, providing resources, and encouraging open conversations about mental health and substance use. By targeting both prevention and early intervention, Free Mind empowers families to recognize warning signs, connect to help, and break the stigma around seeking support. In doing so, it represents a step toward protecting the next generation—not only from the immediate dangers of fentanyl and other substances, but also from the silent burden of untreated mental health struggles.
-Iverson
Equity Over Equality: A Public Health Blog 
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