Earlier this month, Americans were shocked, outraged, and devastated to hear about a 14-year-old girl who took her own life after being bullied, physically attacked, and having it shared online for the world to see.

This led to conversations about the dangers of bullying and the role that schools and parents have in cracking down against bullies. Nevertheless, a greater issue at hand is also worth discussing.

That issue is the mental health of teenage girls in America.

New information from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals the mental health of teen girls continues to take serious hits.

A problem in need of fixing

According to the CDC, 57% of teenage girls in 2021 reported feelings of ongoing hopelessness and sadness. This is far greater than the 29% of teenage boys who said the same.

Many American teen girls are likewise wrestling with violent experiences, thoughts of suicide, and even direct actions taken to end their own lives. More information from the CDC goes on to reveal an uptick in teenage girls not attending school, due to fears of sexual violence.

Within the past 12 months, 14% of teen girls have been raped. Another 18% endured other episodes of sexual violence at one point or the other.

Kathleen Ethier works as the CDC's adolescent and school health division director. In straightforward remarks, she stated America's youth remains "in crisis" and in need of help.

Furthermore, it is the CDC's view that schools need to play a role in bettering the mental health of young people.

Schools can make this happen by taking the following measures:

• Training faculty members on how to spot and handle mental health challenges in students
• Providing mentorship and counseling programs
• Providing additional programs that give students pathways to necessary intervention and connection with others

The bottom line

The mental health and well-being of teen girls in this country will have long-lasting impacts on our nation, as a whole. Today's young people are tomorrow's adults and leaders.

A crucial part of investing in America's future will demand making sure that young people are on a good path.

They should not only enjoy positive mental health. They should also have things to look forward to, relish a sense of purpose, and feel supported by the adults and authority figures around them.