From anxiety to depression, mental health needs for children and young adults in the USA have been increasing even before SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) showed up, but the pandemic has really shone a spotlight on the urgency of establishing access to pediatric mental health services. Notable statistics released over the last few months indicate that many teens and young adults are strongly considering and even attempting suicide. Survey results from the CDC published in early April 2022 revealed that 1 in 5 high school students in the U.S. seriously considered suicide, and about 1 in 10 students had attempted suicide.*  Results of a government study released in mid-2021 showed mental health-related emergency department visits among teenagers in 2020 increased by 31% compared to the previous year and furthermore, emergency visits for suspected suicide attempts among girls ages 12 to 17 increased by 26% during the summer of 2020 and by 50% during winter […]