Kids and teens have a lot of pressures they face growing up. It can often to lead to issues with their mental health. That’s why Gov. Kathy Hochul highlighted a new statewide initiative.

The governor and state leaders are launching a program to protect kids online and tackle the harmful impacts of social media.

The new push includes expanding school-based mental health clinics.

That will help thousands more students statewide get assistance.

All the hours kids today spend on social media are a big factor contributing to declines in mental health, the governor explained.

“We’ve got something that’s unprecedented. Their parents didn’t have to deal with this when they were students here,” said Hochul. “The main thing is we make sure now that their younger siblings never have to either.”

The plan is for this to be the largest mental health program of its kind in the nation for children and their families.