{"id":88,"date":"2026-05-14T22:35:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T22:35:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northcarolinamovingjournal.com\/?p=88"},"modified":"2026-05-14T22:35:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T22:35:27","slug":"one-in-four-nc-teens-experience-depression-can-peer-to-peer-support-improve-their-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northcarolinamovingjournal.com\/?p=88","title":{"rendered":"One in four NC teens experience depression. Can peer-to-peer support improve their mental health?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Danielle South says from all appearances, her son Parker had it all. At 17 years old, she said, he was a hardworking student, excelled in sports at Myers Park High School, and had a vibrant personality. But on November 11, 2025, Parker died by suicide.<\/p>\n

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South told lawmakers Wednesday that her son had \u201ca growing faith\u201d and was the last person she would have thought would be in crisis.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe truly believe that because of the lack of conversation, and because of the stigma surrounding mental health, that Parker did not know what was happening to him was a health issue \u2014 that it was temporary and that it could be fixed,\u201d said South.<\/p>\n

South and her husband, Bo, made the trek from Charlotte to Raleigh to advocate for House Bill 1159, titled \u201cInvesting in Teen Mental Health.\u201d<\/p>\n

The legislation would appropriate $1.3 million to the Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to Teen Mental Health First Aid training in North Carolina.<\/p>\n

The evidence-based program, based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, teaches teens in grades nine through 12 how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use among their friends. It has trained more than 7,500 youth and teens in 44 counties since 2023.<\/p>\n

Rep. Brandon Lofton (D-Mecklenburg) said the additional funding would bring mental health training to 75 additional high schools in North Carolina, reaching over 15,000 students.<\/p>\n

Alicia Freeman with the UNC School of Social Work said the course teaches teens how to recognize possible warning signs and how to connect someone in distress with a trusted adult or someone trained in youth mental health first aid. The course is offered in-person or online.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know the earlier we can intervene, the better the outcomes. So it\u2019s prevention upstream rather than crisis intervention, because when a suicide has occurred, crisis intervention is too late,\u201d said Freeman.<\/p>\n

About 50% of mental illness shows up by the age of 14, according to Freeman.<\/p>\n

Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston), a former registered nurse, said the program holds promise because teenagers often connect with teenagers, not adults.<\/p>\n

Rep. Sarah Crawford (D-Wake) agreed with that assessment. Crawford said she has two teenage daughters. One is open about her emotions, and the other is less forthcoming.<\/p>\n

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\u201cYes. No. Fine<\/i>. That\u2019s about it,\u201d said Crawford. \u201cI deeply recognize the need for these types of support services for our young people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth), a senior budget chair in the N.C. House, said he signed onto H1159 because he sees it as another tool to address North Carolina\u2019s youth mental health crisis.<\/p>\n

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High school athletic association backs NC bill requiring mental health training for coaches<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n