(Editorial - Graphic Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

When the governor declared this Teen Mental Health Awareness Week in West Virginia, he expanded on the events of World Teen Mental Wellness Day — March 2, which was meant to increase awareness about the emotional and mental well-being of our state’s young people.

Teenagers are facing assaults on their mental health earlier generations may have a difficult time understanding. (They may also have a difficult time recognizing what some of those same challenges are doing to them).

Julie Gomez, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in West Virginia, said, “Teen mental health is one of the most urgent issues facing communities across West Virginia.”

We live in a state with higher rates of poverty, food insecurity, substance abuse and physical health woes; while performance in categories such as education and quality of life are perpetually abysmal.

Add those worries to what any child in this country faces growing up in the digital/social media age and the need for trusted adults to step up for our young people is even greater.

Part of NAMI’s campaign to do so, in partnership with the YMCA Alliance of West Virginia, is an effort called “Why We Talk.” It focuses on early, open discussions about mental health — and understanding teenagers are still developing critical thinking skills. They rely on trusted adults for information, perspective and support.

Take advantage, then, of the tools available for parents, teachers, coaches and others at teenmentalhealthwv.org. If you don’t know how to offer support, this will help.

We use phrases such as “our children are our future” too often without remembering their own futures are at stake, too. If we want to be able to rely on them to make this world a better place for the rest of us, we’d better be ready to help them in their own world, now.