By Brie Zeltner and Sarah Gandluri For Justin Soyka, the crisis came in middle school. During his 8th grade year, he survived two suicide attempts, and was hospitalized twice before he was able to get help for his depression, ADHD and crippling anxiety. “Growing up it wasn’t so easy not loving yourself and not being...
Tag: Staten Island
Staten Island high school students face racial segregation, bullying and mental health issues
By Pamela Rentz and Malaya Mason Youth leaders in high schools across Staten Island say that some of the biggest challenges facing their generation-- especially amidst the past two years of social unrest and a global pandemic-- are maintaining mental health and fighting racial inequities. Youth mental health issues have been on the rise since...