Over the past few years, there has been talk about a silent epidemic sweeping the US. For all we know, maybe it was too silent, at least in terms of media coverage. One of the country's leading problems isn't being talked about enough, and now it seems to have reached a crisis point. If we can't call it a crisis now, what are we waiting for? Should we just sit around and wait until things reach a point of no return?
Now, if you haven't caught on yet, we're talking about the increasing number of young people experiencing mental health problems and seeking help. However, some parts of the country lack the necessary infrastructure for effective treatment. Today, we'll highlight what we believe is a silent epidemic of youth mental health struggles that has reached its peak.
Youth mental health statistics
The 2022 National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report paints a grim picture of the mental health crisis among American youth: nearly 20% of children and adolescents aged 3–17 are grappling with cognitive, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorders. Alarmingly, suicidal behaviors also surged among high school students by over 40% in the previous decade. This makes mental health issues the leading cause of death and disability in this age group. Needless to say, the not-so-silent COVID-19 pandemic only worsened these troubling trends.
A troubling upward trend
The abovementioned report also highlights that from 2016 to 2019, emergency department visits for mental health diagnoses among children aged 0–17 increased from 784.1 to 869.3 per 100,000 population. Furthermore, suicide rates for individuals aged 12 and older increased by 16% from 2008 to 2020, with the rate for 12–17-year-olds rising from 3.7 to 6.3 per 100,000.
Kids in Crisis 2024 report
For the year 2024, we have the youth mental health report—Kids in Crisis. The study unambiguously shows a deeply worrying state of mental health among high school students in the US. According to its data, 42% of all high school students struggle with persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness (something you'd call a sturdy foundation for mental health disorders). The situation is even more alarming among specific demographics: nearly 6 in 10 female students and almost 7 in 10 LGBTQ+ students report feeling persistently sad or hopeless (bullying can lead to greater consequences). These feelings have increased across every racial and ethnic group.
The US isn't so alone in this
If you think these numbers are unique to the US, think again. News from England paints a similarly grim picture. According to The Guardian, the current state of youth mental health in the UK's biggest country is at an all-time low. For the first time, urgent referrals of under-18-year-olds to mental health crisis teams exceeded 3,500 in May 2023, which is three times higher than in May 2019. Additionally, from March 2022 to March 2023, there were 21,555 urgent referrals to mental health crisis teams, a 46% increase from the previous year.
What's there to be done?
People should stay hopeful, as there's much to be done! Despite the current situation, there are plenty of opportunities and room for improvement.
Updating the infrastructure
In the US, some states face a shortage of mental health treatment centers. This makes it hard for youngsters to get the help they need. But there's hope. States like California and Florida are home to therapeutic networks that offer comprehensive and accessible care. We Level Up Treatment Centers is a huge, successful network of personalized programs for both adults and adolescents. Known for their holistic and evidence-based methods, they provide a wide range of services, from detoxification to mental health therapies. Their tailored approach for each individual has consistently proven to be the most effective treatment.
Starting school initiatives
School initiatives hold the potential to raise awareness about mental health and address the causes of the silent epidemic of youth mental health struggles we're talking about today. For example, schools can offer lectures on responsible social media usage, substance abuse, and more. Young people, particularly those in elementary and high school, are especially vulnerable and deserve our focused attention. While the laissez-faire concept may have a place in the economy, it should be prohibited in education: children shouldn't have to fight the challenges of adolescence without proper guidance.
Rethinking parental responsibility
Another crucial step individuals (parents and guardians) can take is to begin the fight against the epidemic within their own homes. Educating your children on values you deem important and building a strong connection with them is fundamental for their mental well-being. The home should be a sanctuary. Without a safe space within their own homes, children are more vulnerable to developing mental health issues.
Apart from what schools provide, parents can also play a pivotal role in teaching responsible social media usage and proactively managing their screen time. Balancing freedom with appropriate boundaries is essential; while giving children space to grow is important, it's equally beneficial to guide and supervise them responsibly. Some parents may lean on the idea of freedom as a shield. Still, it's time to reassess parental responsibility and approach parenting as a thoughtful and engaged process that prioritizes children's mental and emotional development.
Conclusion
The numbers don't lie; we're facing an epidemic of youth mental health struggles. The scale of our youth crisis is deeply concerning. However, we shouldn't be disheartened by this revelation, as there are many opportunities to improve the situation. It's crucial to update our infrastructure to offer better support systems and provide therapy to those in need. Investing in school initiatives can also be beneficial. Perhaps most importantly (without placing sole responsibility on anyone), parents and guardians should play a pivotal role. Staying connected, offering necessary guidance, and actively listening to your kids is more than essential.
