Hope Starts With Us Pathways to Address Youth Mental Health Featuring Taanvi Arekapudi; Pooja Tandon, MD, MPH; and Dr. Christine Crawford
Oct 29, 2025
Taanvi Arekapudi, a high school student and mental health advocate, joins experts Dr. Christine Crawford and Dr. Pooja Tandon to discuss youth mental health. They reveal that 73% of youth prioritize mental well-being, emphasizing issues like suicide prevention and the impact of social media. Dr. Crawford shares insights on family communication and prevention, while Dr. Tandon highlights the importance of outdoor play for mental health. They also offer valuable advice on how parents can effectively engage in conversations about mental health with their children.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
How A Youth Joined The Study
- Taanvi described joining the Macy's youth group after meeting NAMI contacts at a convention and applying via a Google form.
- She met peers nationwide, attended biweekly meetings, and found the experience validating and influential.
Pandemic Raised Youth Mental Health Needs
- Clinicians report a marked rise in youth mental health concerns since the COVID pandemic.
- Increased openness among youth partly explains why more are naming mental health as critical.
Make Suicide Prevention Practical
- Prioritize suicide prevention and expand training so trusted adults can recognize varied warning signs.
- Provide clear referral resources like 988 so adults can direct youth to immediate help.