UCSB Arts & Lectures Justice for All Series Targets Teen Mental Health - Noozhawk

It would be easier to shrug off depression among youth as just another iteration of teenage angst, if it weren't so dangerous. Rates of mental illness appear to be climbing across all age groups, with teenagers seeing steep increases following the pandemic and its long periods of social isolation. 

In an unstinting look at how youth experience, struggle with and overcome — or succumb to — mental health disorders, a new documentary film features first-person accounts from more than 20 young people, ranging in age from 11 to 27, who live with mental health conditions. 

In the two-part documentary, "Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness" from executive producer Ken Burns, youth from a wide variety of demographic backgrounds share their personal accounts of anxiety, depression, addiction, suicidal ideation and other, often disabling, mental health conditions.

The film will be screened at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31 with "Part I: The Storm" and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, "Part II: Resilience" at UC Santa Barbara's Campbell Hall.

Local experts on youth mental wellness will be on hand at both screenings to conduct panel discussions. The showings are part of the UCSB Arts & Lectures (A&L) Justice for All series.

"We are grateful to the Justice for All faculty committee for their guidance in choosing to address this crucial issue," said Celesta M. Billeci, Arts & Lectures Miller McCune executive director.

"Our partners at the Gevirtz School, at UCSB Counseling & Psychological Services and in the Santa Barbara community have all had a profound impact on this initiative," she said. "Together we seek to understand the implications for equity and inclusion of the current youth mental health crisis."

By including first-hand accounts from youth and young adults, along with families and advocates, the film explores the impact of childhood trauma, discrimination, stigma and social media on mental health and recovery.

It also addresses the criminalization of mental illness, the tragedy of youth suicide, and the double stigma that occurs when mental illness is combined with racial or gender discrimination. 

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