One of the greatest strengths of Iowa County has always been its people. We rally around families after a fire. We fill the bleachers on Friday nights. We volunteer at church suppers, county fairs, community festivals, and school fundraisers. When someone is in need, neighbors usually don’t have to ask twice for help.
That same spirit is needed today for a challenge that isn’t always easy to see.
The mental health of our teenagers.
Not every struggle leaves visible scars. Many young people quietly carry anxiety, depression, loneliness, stress, and fear while appearing to be doing just fine. They smile in the hallways, compete on the athletic fields, perform on stage, and earn good grades. Then they go home feeling isolated and overwhelmed.
Life has changed dramatically for today’s teenagers. Along with the normal challenges of growing up, they face constant social media pressure, online criticism, academic expectations, uncertainty about the future, and the lingering effects of a world that often feels more connected electronically than personally.
For teenagers in rural communities, there can be additional hurdles. Mental health services may be many miles away. Finding an available counselor can take weeks or months. Transportation isn’t always easy, and in smaller towns, some young people worry that asking for help will become the subject of gossip.
No teenager should ever feel that reaching out for help is something to be ashamed of.
Mental health deserves the same attention we give physical health. If a student tears a ligament during a basketball game or breaks an arm on the farm, we encourage treatment and recovery. Emotional struggles deserve that same understanding and support.
Parents don’t need to have all the answers. Teachers, coaches, pastors, employers, grandparents, and neighbors don’t either. What they can offer is often something just as valuable: a willingness to listen without judgment, to notice when something seems different, and to remind a young person that they are not facing life’s challenges alone.
The adults in a teenager’s life may never fully realize the impact of a simple question.
"How are you doing?"
Even more powerful is taking the time to wait for the real answer.
Our schools continue to work hard to support students, and local organizations provide opportunities through athletics, music, agriculture, the arts, clubs, and community service. These programs build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging that are essential to healthy development. They deserve our continued support because they help young people thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
At the same time, we should continue advocating for greater access to mental health professionals in rural Wisconsin. Every family should be able to find timely, affordable care without traveling long distances or waiting months for an appointment.
The future of Iowa County won’t be measured only by new businesses, good harvests, or championship seasons. It will also be measured by whether our young people grow into healthy, hopeful adults who know they are valued by the communities that raised them.
Every teenager should hear this message often-and believe it. You matter.
Your worth isn’t determined by your grades, your batting average, your social media followers, or the mistakes you’ve made. You are important simply because you are part of this community.
If Iowa County continues doing what it has always done best-looking out for one another-we can make sure every young person knows there is hope, there is help, and there are people who care.
That may be the most important investment we ever make.