Over the past 2 years, healthcare providers and school educators have witnessed a steep rise in the mental health needs of adolescents. The isolation, stress and disconnectedness felt by youth during the COVID-19 pandemic has added to the underlying conditions that can affect the mental wellbeing of youth.
For instance, a new Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report indicates that more than “37% of high school students reported they experienced poor mental health” during the pandemic, and “44% reported they persistently felt sad or hopeless during the past year.” Suicide rates have also risen for youth. Last year, the CDC reported that in May 2020, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts began to increase among adolescents aged 12–17 years, especially for girls, who were up 51% from the same period in 2019.
Substance use disorder and mental illnesses often co-occur, with about half of people who have one condition also having the other according to National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).
Below are several ways you can identify mental health disorder and resources on how to find help.
Resources
Parents/Adults
HealthyChildren.Org: Sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this website provides a wide-range of resources for parents of teens and young adults.
National Institute of Mental Health: Working to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses, NIMA’s website provides guides and brochures directed at parents.
Teen Health: This website helps parents care for their child’s ups and downs, from dealing with divorce to preparing for new siblings. Also provides information on how to understand your child’s behavior, whether it’s toddler tantrums or teenage depression.
Teen Mental Health: Geared towards teenagers, this website provides learning tools on a variety of mental illnesses, videos, and resources for parents and caregivers.
