HEALING HEARTS MINISTRIES
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When Hearts Are Shaped By a Screen: |
Why Suicide Is Rising Among Youth |
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by Allan Miller, Executive Director |
Dear Friend,
In recent years, something deeply concerning has been unfolding in the hearts of our young people — especially among teenage girls and young women. Beneath rising anxiety, depression, and suicide rates lies a quieter, more painful question many are asking: |
“Am I loved? Do I truly matter?” |
Reliable health data is pointing to a troubling reality: suicide continues to be one of the leading causes of death for young people in the United States. Among those ages 10–24, suicide accounts for a significant share of deaths, and rates increased by 62% between 2007 and 2021, with more young people reporting suicidal thoughts and plans in recent years.
The nation’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey also shows that a large proportion of high school students report emotional distress: in 2023, about 40% of students had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, while roughly 20% seriously considered attempting suicide and nearly 10% reported attempting suicide in the past year.
Experts studying adolescent well-being note that up to 95% of youth ages 13–17 use social media, with many engaging daily or even “almost constantly,” and that frequent social media use is linked with higher reports of persistent sadness and suicide risk.
In examining these trends, health professionals have described this as a crisis of the heart and mind, not just numbers on a page. As one recent public health report states, “findings support associations between frequent social media use and poor mental health outcomes among adolescents, including depression and suicide risk.” |
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Our culture talks endlessly about self-love, yet too often that phrase becomes entangled with performance, comparison, and approval from the world — all of which lead to deeper insecurity rather than peace. Scripture offers a different foundation.
True self-love — healthy, life-giving, and resilient — can only grow when a young person first understands how deeply they are loved by their Creator. Our worth is not something we construct or achieve. It is something we receive. |
“We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19). |
This is the love that restores a wounded heart. This is the love that transforms despair into hope. And this is the love that God's Word shows us! |
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A Biblical Answer: First Love & The Fight of Your Life |
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❤️First Love — Designed for young women, this study helps girls step away from cultural lies about beauty, worth, and identity, and instead anchor their hearts in the unchanging love of Christ, learning what it means to be truly loved — not by the world, but by God.
⚔️The Fight of Your Life — Designed for young men, this study calls them to a higher vision of love — one rooted in courage, biblical purpose, and Christ-like character — helping them love God, others, and themselves well.
These studies are discipleship tools that walk alongside young people through formative years, helping them replace fleeting cultural affirmations with the deep, secure love of their Creator. |
💙Consider the young people in your life.
Is there a daughter, son, student, grandchild, or young adult who could benefit from a clearer understanding of their worth and identity in Christ? Consider purchasing First Love or The Fight of Your Life for them.
💙Share these resources widely.
Forward this message to your church leadership, youth pastors, counselors, and like-minded ministries serving young people ages 13–25. These Bible studies can be used one-on-one, in small groups, or in youth ministry settings.
💙Learn more and order.
Visit healingheartsyouth.org to explore the studies, read testimonials, and order copies for individuals, families, or ministry programs.
🆕Pray for our new Amazon distribution channel.
First Love and The Fight of Your Life are now available on Amazon.com, providing another way for families, youth leaders, and disciplers to discover these Gospel-centered resources. Please pray with us as we step into this new distribution opportunity—that the Lord would use it to place these studies into the hands of those who need them most. If you choose to purchase the studies through Amazon, you may also have the opportunity to leave an honest customer review, helping others discover these discipleship tools as they search for resources for young people. - First Love on Amazon - The Fight of Your Life on Amazon |
In a world constantly telling young people what they must do to be loved, the Gospel offers a better message: You are already loved — fully and forever — in Christ. And when young hearts learn that truth, everything changes.
Thank you for standing with Healing Hearts as we seek to reach young hearts with truth, hope, and the never-failing love of God.
🙏 Every prayer matters.
💝 Every gift matters.
🙋♂️ Every partner becomes part of a healing story.
If the Lord leads you, I invite you to donate to Healing Hearts this month and to share our youth discipleship resources with your community.
Together, we can help young hearts discover who they truly are in Christ—and choose life. |
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| Allan Miller
Executive Director |
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Sources & References:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Suicide and Youth Mental Health Trends, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
2. CDC, Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), 2019–2023
3. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media and Youth Mental Health |
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“Gospel-centered, grace-driven healing… One heart at a time.”
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