Why are so many young people struggling—and are adults partly to blame? Dr. Will Dobud and Dr. Nevin Harper return to Stories from the Field to talk with Will about their bold new book, Kids These Days: Understanding and Supporting Youth Mental Health. Building on their past appearances, they reunite to explore why youth mental health keeps declining despite unprecedented access to therapy, medication, and awareness—and what adults can do to change the story.
Drawing on decades of research and global experience, they challenge the assumption that kids are the problem, pointing instead to the adult-driven systems shaping their world: safety culture, over-intervention, digital overload, and the pathologizing of normal struggle. This thought-provoking episode invites parents, educators, and clinicians to step back, rethink their roles, and consider how adults can foster real belonging, autonomy, and resilience for the next generation.