Why Youth Mental Health Can’t Wait

August 12, 2025

Classrooms are full and campuses are buzzing with activity, but behind the energy and excitement, many young people are quietly struggling. With school back in session, there’s no better time to shine a spotlight on the importance of supporting the mental health and well-being of our youth.

Mental health challenges don’t wait until adulthood, and neither should support. Yet according to the CDC, only 58.5% of U.S. teens report always or usually receiving the emotional support they need. Meanwhile, 93.1% of parents believe their child is getting enough support, highlighting a serious disconnect between perception and reality.

While we often think of childhood and adolescence as carefree, the truth is that being young today is incredibly complex. Between academic pressures, evolving identities, social dynamics, the threat of school violence, and the relentless influence of social media, many young people are navigating daily stress without the tools or safe spaces to cope.

At Tampa Bay Thrives, we believe early intervention can change lives. That’s why we’re creating environments where students can pause, process, and return to learning with a sense of calm and confidence.

This fall, we’re proud to have built out three Wellness Rooms, with one more in the final stages of build-out, across Tampa Bay schools in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. These rooms are safe and calming spaces within school buildings where students can take a break, talk to a trusted adult, and access coping tools when they need them most.

And the impact is clear:

70% of student participants in wellness room programming had a decrease in absenteeism from the fall of 2023 to the fall of 2024.
14% of student participants in wellness room programming experienced a decrease in behavior trackers from fall of 2023 to fall of 2024.

These numbers are more than just metrics; they represent real moments of support that help students stay connected to their education, peers, and sense of self. By working together, we’re creating a stronger support system for youth across Tampa Bay. There’s a role for everyone in this effort, read on to learn now you can stay informed, share the message, and help us expand the reach of this vital work.

Keep scrolling to see the wellness rooms in action.