Many children have suffered from poor mental health over the past few years, but new data offers some shocking insights. Mental Health America released an analysis of the 5.4 million people who received online mental health screenings through the organization’s website in 2021.The report said 45% of those screened were between the ages of 11 and 17, a 16% increase from 2019.
Young people, especially LGBTQ+ young people, also have the highest rates of suicidal ideation. Overall, 51% of those screened for depression in the 11- to 17-year-old age group reported frequent suicidal ideation more than half or almost every day in the past two weeks. This number rises to 52% for young people of color and 63% for LGBTQ+ youth.
What do these numbers mean?
We want to draw attention to these figures as it has reached crisis point with more people under 18 struggling with mental health issues and seeking resources and support online than ever before.
Nine in 10 young people aged 11 to 17 who screened for depression on the website developed symptoms of moderate to severe depression, a higher rate than any other age group.
Mental Health America’s data was collected from its online screening program, which began in 2014 and consists of 10 free, anonymous, confidential and clinically validated tools on the organization’s website. It’s important to note that the people receiving these screenings are people seeking mental health help and resources, so they are more likely than the general population to test positive for these symptoms.
Still, these data—especially the increase in younger users seeking these resources—highlight the extent to which the mental health crisis is affecting young people in America today.
About 70% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 say loneliness or social isolation contributes to their mental health problems. We are seeing an increase in young people expressing concerns about economic insecurity, illustrating the impact of COVID-19 and job losses.
In addition to social isolation, health problems, and economic insecurity, young people also report experiencing grief after losing a loved one or losing a significant life opportunity, such as going to school or certain significant activities. In the United States, more than 200,000 children under 18 have lost a parent or caregiver due to COVID-19, with non-white children losing a caring adult at higher rates.
For some LGBTQ+ teens, problems arise from being trapped in a family that doesn’t necessarily accept their identity.Feeling distant from school, the community, or other places where they feel more accepted or may have access to trusted adults may also be a factor. For people of color, they are also frightened by rising reports of racism and increasingly visible racial-based violence in the United States.
We see that if we don’t act now, the huge impact on mental health will continue. This problem won’t go away. We were already approaching crisis status before the pandemic, which has put a huge magnifying glass on already existing problems.
What can be done to improve kids’ mental health?
We should screen all young people for mental health conditions in the same way we screen for hearing and vision, and we should promote active social participation and encourage healthy coping strategies for stress and negative emotions – especially as they emerge from long-term social times of isolation and disruption to daily life.
Be aware of the importance of prevention, early identification and intervention in mental health care. For young people, this means access to equitable, affordable, compassionate, and non-judgmental supports and resources in their communities and schools—whether through counselors, psychologists, or even trusted adults .
Parents have a simple but important role and that is to listen and support, if your child feels they may be struggling with a mental health issue, believe them, validate their feelings and offer help to gain their support. We hear disappointing stories of young people suffering but not feeling trusted or supported by their parents or carers – conversely, we know that supportive carers can play a vital role in helping young people through their crisis and into play an important role in recovery and well-being.
It is also critical to ensure that public and private health insurance effectively cover all crisis and preventive mental health services for adolescents, as this is currently not the case.
Social media is also part of the puzzle and we need to take a hard look at social media platforms and find ways to minimize content that is harmful to young people’s mental health.
While social media helps provide online community for those who feel isolated where they live, its negative impact on young people is also well-documented. Creating a more mentally healthy experience for young users is crucial.
Young people should be aware of the impact of social media on their mental health.If they feel they are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, they can start an online screening.
The next step is to share the screening results with a parent, teacher, doctor, school counselor, or other trusted adult to start a conversation about getting support.
If young people don’t feel ready to have this conversation, they can find resources to learn more on Mental Health America and other trusted sites like The Trevor Project, Jade Foundation, and Minding Your Mind information and seek support in other ways.
Young people can also become advocates in their schools and communities and we work with many young people who are leading the charge in their areas to make mental health support and services more accessible. There is no more powerful voice than young people themselves, and we encourage young people to get involved in mental health advocacy.