How Richmond social worker is taking on 'really important' issue impacting teens

RICHMOND, Va. -- The RVA Therapy Expo Next Gen Edition to connect the parents and caregivers of teens to resources was held Saturday at the Richmond Public Library.

The event comes as there is a nationwide increase in teens experiencing mental health issues, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Social worker Brittany Rush came up with the idea to bring together young adults, parents and caregivers in hopes of educating them on how to support struggling teens.

While Rush is now a social worker who leads the charge in creating these types of opportunities, she admitted she also struggled with confidence and mental health as a teenager.

“I know first hand what it is like," Rush explained. "And my parents were not well versed in the mental health realm."

Now Rush is creating what she said she did not have as a girl: a space where anyone can come to hear from experts, ask questions and get connected to help immediately.

WTVR

Rush urged parents to check in with their children and learn about the resources that they made one day need for their kids.

That is because half of all teens will struggle with mental health, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Rush, through her work in the community, said she sees many Richmond teens struggle with depression, anxiety, eating disorders and suicidal thoughts.

“Community violence, the political climate, all of the things we don’t think directly impact our teens, it does, Rush said. "They are inundated with this information and it’s overwhelming.”

Rush, who organized the expo in an effort to break down barriers that exist between people and services, hopes to host additional events so parents feel comfortable and confident supporting their teens.

"To be able to provide it to families like mine, and to teens like I was, is unbelievable," Rush said about the event.

Click here to follow Rush’s Community Group.