The data is undeniable: Too many of our kids today face an unprecedented mental health crisis with suicide inching up to the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10 to 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A recent Tribune editorial acknowledged the progress made in removing the stigmas associated with mental health but called into question a state bill I sponsored that Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law last month. It requires public schools to offer universal mental health screenings to students in grades three through 12.

What motivated me to fight like hell for this law were the years of desperate calls I received from parents, often in tears, not knowing how to support their kids in crisis, as well as young people reaching out in fear becau

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