Unheard, Unsupported and Trapped-Uncovering the Mental Health Crisis Among Young People

Community News, News2 — By Kamelah Clark on September 24, 2025 at 7:23 pm

By Kamelah Clark

Let’s dig deeper in understanding the crisis and impact of trauma that has haunted the next generation. Trauma is the emotional wound that happens when something really bad or scary makes you feel unsafe, helpless, or overwhelmed. A feeling stays with you long after the trauma is over until you decide to face it and heal. Many people carry trauma that is never resolved believing it is too hard to heal. Many youths come out of the womb exposed to trauma passed down by generations and never given a fighting chance, that makes this generation vulnerable to mirroring what they learned and passing down unresolved trauma in their lives. The cycle of generational trauma must stop here!

Trauma comes in different forms and can stem from violence, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, or loss. These experiences can lead to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) causing anxiety and depression often left unaddressed. This trauma becomes a silent architect of emotional isolation and behavioral outburst, look at this as a “silent cry for help.”

Stigma, The “Silent Killer”…..when trauma is too painful to speak about it leads to “suffering in silence,” not asking for help or believing that therapy would not be effective. It is common in underserved communities that therapy means “you’re crazy” or “how can someone who does not know me or my story, tell me how to heal? Do they even understand?”

Let’s look at this a little differently. Many young people become victims of trauma meaning they had no control over what they were exposed to and or experienced. Even when young people recognize their struggles, many remain silent due to this “crazy” stigma. They fear judgment or being labeled as weak, judged for being honest and punished for how they LEARNED how to respond to these experiences. When we say “LEARNED,” in most cultural households we learn “what happens in THIS HOUSE, STAYS IN THIS HOUSE,” that’s the beginning of what trauma looks like.

I was asked by a 16-year-old High Schooler, “So if I was abused by my uncle, I’m not supposed to say anything about it and just pretend everything is good so my mom doesn’t feel embarrassed? What about how I feel?”

To the older generation, I pose a question: How does this teaching help youth develop into responsible, well-mannered, and respectful adults? If we are being honest as a collective, maybe we can be a bit more compassionate and understanding. Cultural and societal taboos around therapy only deepen the silence. Without encouragement to speak out, many suffer in silence, fearing rejection more than their pain. Let that sink in!

Envision Youth Services, Inc., making an impact since 2013, has launched a season of healing, reconnecting broken hearts, families, and taking this journey together with the launch of our “Mental Health Through Music & Creative Arts” program. A 12-week healing journey with young artists that focuses first on Mental Health and expression through the healing of music and creative arts.

We began this journey with a group of upcoming artists impacted by the Eaton Fires and LA artists that stood up in unity with Altadena/ Pasadena artists to support their healing and rebuild! The name is “Denature.” 

To follow this journey and support, stop by and show this collaborative some love @denature on Instagram and for mental health support and mentorship, check us out @ Envision Youth Services on social media to follow our impact in Los Angeles County.

A Huge Thank you to Raw Suga Shack Studios for creating a safe space for artists to create. Thank you to the Community of Compton, Alonzo Williams, and the Hub City Legend newspaper for your support and passions!

See our impact and help create the change we desire for young people at:

Envisionyouthservices.org

 

Kamelah Clark, is the Executive Director of Envision Youth Services, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to supporting youth and young adults impacted by trauma, social injustice, and mental health challenges. Inspired by her mother, an educator, and her father, a self-taught musician, Kamelah combines advocacy, creative expression, and lived experience to empower young people through safe, healing-centered spaces. With over 25 years of experience in trauma-informed care and community advocacy, Kamelah has worked in residential crisis facilities, psychiatric hospitals, social justice initiatives, and gang prevention programs. Kamelah holds a Licensed Program Administrator certification, is a Professional Crisis Management Instructor, and a Professional Creative Writer, as well as a certified Mindfulness-Based Strategic Awareness Training (MBSAT) Facilitator. She has received recognition from the Cities of Long Beach, Compton, and Los Angeles, as well as local media, for her work in youth advocacy and mental health.

Beyond her professional work, Kamelah is a devoted mother, woman of faith, and creative storyteller producing a docuseries on mental health, music, and art as tools for healing. Her mission is simple yet powerful: “Impact the lives of young people without a voice—without judgment—through mental health, music, and art.”