Inside the Mental Health Crisis Facing Our Children - Dana and Jason from Tell My Story
“The opposite of depression is not happiness, but connection.” – Johann Hari
In this episode, Logan and Tyson sit down with Dana Christian Lee and Jason Reid from the organization Tell My Story to talk about the growing mental health crisis facing kids and teens today—and what families can actually do about it.
Jason shares the heartbreaking and deeply personal story of losing his youngest son to suicide in 2018, a tragedy that reshaped his life and ignited a mission to bring real mental health conversations into homes that often avoid them. Dana, the executive director of Tell My Story, adds her perspective from years of working with youth, families, and communities—helping unpack why so many kids struggle silently and what meaningful connection really looks like.
The conversation covers the realities many parents don’t see: how common anxiety and depression have become, why kids often feel like a burden instead of asking for help, and how today’s digital world—especially unrestricted phones, social media, and algorithms—can quietly amplify those struggles. They also talk about practical ways families can build trust, communication, and emotional safety, including tools like the Tell My Story card game, and why creativity, purpose, and learning to do hard things matter so much for a young person’s mental health.
This is an honest, emotional, and ultimately hopeful conversation about loss, parenting, connection, and what each of us can do right now to change the mental health narrative for the next generation.
If this episode speaks to you, share it with someone. Sometimes one conversation really can save a life.
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