New peer-to-peer program aims to help students deal with depression

A recent report from the CDC shows a concerning rise in sadness, hopelessness and exposure to violence among teens, particularly girls and LGBTQ+ youth. The CDC said a combination of factors can put young people at high risk for suicide, depression, substance use disorder and poor academic performance. The report says more than one in four girls report seriously considering attempting suicide in 2021, up nearly 60% from 2011. But they also say with the right programs and services in place, schools have the unique ability to help students thrive, and there is a program here in Michigan helping students offer their peers a lifeline. "I've had mental health issues pretty much my entire life," McKenna Duman, a senior at Community High School in Ann Arbor, said. She was first diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder in the 3rd grade.