
Amanda Lai is a Bay Area high school junior. Confident and outgoing, she balances her social life with coursework and fencing practices and matches. Behind her smile, she’s struggled with mental health challenges under the pressure of all her activities. Luckily, she has supportive parents and resources to help — but she noticed that not all her peers have the same access, and became a youth mental health advocate.
In late September, Lai sat on a KCBS Radio panel discussing the state of mental health. She was joined by Dr. Nicole Stelter, director of Behavioral Health at Blue Shield of California; Juan Acosta, a mental health advocate who sits on the advisory board of BlueSky, Blue Shield’s youth mental health initiative; and Lesley Garcia, director of programs at Contra Costa Crisis Center. [To listen to the conversation, click here.]
“There’s a youth mental health crisis,” explained Lai. “Students are experiencing a higher level of anxiety, burnout and depression, and this is all coming from the pressure of doing better at school, getting into better colleges and getting better jobs. So what students really need to do nowadays is to take care of their own well-being, speak up about what is going on inside if they're feeling overwhelmed and reach out to their community.”
Scrolling social media for mental health resources, Lai found Mind Out Loud, a youth-led mental health movement and project of Wellness Together, a BlueSky collaborator. That was the inspiration for her involvement as an advocate, and she credits social media. “Social media can be toxic, because what’s posted can be fake and we compare ourselves,” she said. “But it is also positive because you can find a community of people who resonate with your struggles.”

The panelists also agreed that social media has been useful to spread the word about 988 — the 24/7 mental health crisis line which became three digits two years ago. It took 15 years for 988 to reach its full potential, but the crisis line has taken off and currently takes in over 600,000 calls, texts and chats per month. According to Dr. Stelter, this reflects both the good and bad sides of the state of mental health. “The good news is, we are talking more about it, and it’s not as stigmatized. It’s a common conversation,” she said. “The flip side is that we're also seeing so much more need, and we need to make sure there are enough providers and clinicians.”
Stelter pointed out that while therapy is an essential tool in addressing mental health challenges, it is usually only an hour a week, and those struggling often need greater support. 988 is one resource, because it’s 24/7. But Stelter also said mental health needs to be more of a community issue, and parents, teachers, friends and colleagues need to check in with the people we care about.
“You can’t infect someone with depression by asking how they’re doing,” said Dr. Stelter. “Whether they’re 7 years old, 97, or somewhere in between, don't be afraid to ask. If you’re concerned, go with that. Even a five-minute conversation can save a life.”
Juan Acosta agreed and spoke to the need for greater community action. “We need to foster communities that are kind to everyone,” he said. “We could all collectively take action to prevent suicide and support those struggling with mental health. You don't need to be on the radio, on a stage or have a clinical background to help someone.”
For adults, Amanda Lai has advice. She said that parents need to lay off on the pressure to succeed, and give their kids more space. And for youth who are struggling, Lai encourages her peers to talk more with friends and trusted adults. “At the end of the day, it's your own mental health,” she said. “Parents don't know everything that is going in my life, or what's going on inside my head. To let others know how I'm feeling, I have to advocate for myself and not rely on the voices of others.”
If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out for help and tap into the many resources available.
Resources:
- 988 is free, anonymous, and available in multiple languages with specialized services for veterans, LGBTQ+ people and Spanish speakers. Connect to 988 here.
- For more youth mental health resources, visit our BlueSky website.
- TEEN hotline for youth mental health.
- The Trevor Project for LGBTQ+ youth.
- For Blue Shield of California members who are looking for a mental health provider, please click on our Find a Doctor page.