Winter Break

Source: Aspen Center for Environmental Studies

The Learning in Afterschool & Summer Blog will be taking a winter break and returning in February 2026. We wish you all a peaceful and restful holiday. 

Happy Holidays

As we reflect upon the end of the year, we can't ignore that there are far too many families that are experiencing high levels of poverty and the fear of deportation. With that in mind, all of us at Temescal Associates and the How Kids Learn Foundation wish you a peaceful and restful holiday! 

Declining Youth Mental Health: What to Look For

Source: www.pexels.com

By Sam Piha 

GROUPS MOST AFFECTED

Some groups are more affected by mental health issues. They include: 

• “Girls: Adolescent girls report nearly twice the rate of persistent sadness as boys (57% vs 29%).
• LGBTQ+ youth: 69% reported persistent sadness and 45% considered suicide (CDC, 2023).
• Youth of color: Suicide rates among Black youth have risen more than any other racial group in the U.S. over the past 20 years.” [i]

Adolescents
“One in six people are aged 10–19 years. Adolescence is a unique and formative time. Physical, emotional and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. Protecting adolescents from adversity, promoting socio-emotional learning and psychological well-being, and ensuring access to mental health care are critical for their health and well-being during adolescence and adulthood.” [ii]

“Adolescence is a unique and formative time. Physical, emotional and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems.” [iii]

The WHO describes adolescence as a, “crucial period for developing social and emotional habits important for mental well-include adopting healthy sleep patterns; exercising regularly; developing coping, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills; and learning to manage emotions. Protective and supportive environments in the family, at school and in the wider community are important...

Some adolescents are at greater risk of mental health conditions due to their living conditions, stigma, discrimination or exclusion, or lack of access to quality support and services. These include adolescents living in humanitarian and fragile settings; adolescents with chronic illness, autism spectrum disorder, an intellectual disability or other neurological condition; pregnant adolescents, adolescent parents, or those in early or forced marriages; orphans; and adolescents from minority ethnic or sexual backgrounds or other discriminated groups...

Multiple factors affect mental health. The more risk factors adolescents are exposed to, the greater the potential impact on their mental health. Factors that can contribute to stress during adolescence include exposure to adversity, pressure to conform with peers and exploration of identity. Media influence and gender norms can exacerbate the disparity between an adolescent’s lived reality and their perceptions or aspirations for the future. Other important determinants include the quality of their home life and relationships with peers. Violence (especially sexual violence and bullying), harsh parenting and severe and socioeconomic problems are recognized risks to mental health.” [iv]

“Adolescents with mental health conditions are particularly vulnerable to social exclusion, discrimination, stigma (affecting readiness to seek help), educational difficulties, risk-taking behaviours, physical ill-health and human rights violations.” [v]

To learn more about mental health determinants for adolescence see Mental Health of Adolescents by the World Health Organization.

PROMOTION AND PREVENTION

“Mental health promotion and prevention interventions aim to strengthen an individual's capacity to regulate emotions, enhance alternatives to risk-taking behaviors, build resilience for managing difficult situations and adversity, and promote supportive social environments and social networks. 

These programs require a multi-level approach with varied delivery platforms – for example, digital media, health or social care settings, schools or the community – and varied strategies to reach adolescents, particularly the most vulnerable.

Early detection and treatment
It is crucial to address the needs of adolescents with mental health conditions. Avoiding institutionalization and over-medicalization, prioritizing non-pharmacological approaches, and respecting the rights of children in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and other human rights instruments are key for adolescents’ mental health.” [vi]

Source: www.pexels.com

SIGNS OF YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES

According to ChatGPT, these are some common signs of declining youth mental health:

• “Emotional and Behavioral Signs:
• Frequent sadness, crying, or irritability
• Sudden mood swings or emotional outbursts
• Withdrawal from friends, family, or activities once enjoyed
• Increased sensitivity to rejection or criticism
• Expressions of hopelessness (‘nothing matters,’ ‘I can’t do anything right’) 

• Social and School-Related Changes
• Declining grades or loss of interest in school
• Trouble concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
• Skipping class or avoiding group activities
• Increased conflict with peers or authority figures

• Physical or Routine Changes
• Noticeable changes in sleep (too little or too much)
• Appetite changes or sudden weight loss/gain
• Frequent headaches, stomachaches, or vague physical complaints
• Neglecting personal appearance or hygiene

• Serious Warning Signs
• Talking or writing about death or suicide
• Self-harming behaviors (cutting, burning, hitting self)
• Extreme anger, agitation, or risk-taking
• Use of alcohol or drugs to cope
• Sudden calmness after a period of distress (can indicate suicidal planning).” [vii] 

To learn more, check out 10 Mental Health Warning Signs with Teens. If you are concerned about a young person’s safety, do not wait — contact a counselor, trusted adult, or call or text 988 (Suicide and Crisis Lifeline). 

To learn more about this topic, we developed a briefing paper entitled, How Afterschool Programs Can Address the Youth Mental Health Crisis. You can also join an upcoming webinar on this topic for free, by checking out our Eventbrite Page.

END NOTES:
[i]: Chat GPT, Which youth groups are most affected by mental health issues?
[ii]: IBID.
[iii]: World Health Organization, Mental Health of Adolescents
[iv]: IBID.
[v]: IBID. 
[vi]: IBID.
[vii]: Chat GPT, What are signs of declining youth mental health?

The State of Mental Health for Young People

Source: World Health Organization

By Sam Piha

Childhood and adolescence are critical stages of life for mental health. This is a time when rapid growth and development take place in the brain. Children and adolescents acquire cognitive and social-emotional skills that shape their future mental health and are important for assuming adult roles in society.

The quality of the environment where children and adolescents grow up shapes their well-being and development. Early negative experiences in homes, schools, or digital spaces, such as exposure to violence, the mental illness of a parent or other caregiver, bullying and poverty, increase the risk of mental illness.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Mental health conditions, such as childhood epilepsy, developmental disabilities, depression, anxiety and behavioral disorders, are major causes of illness and disability among young people. Worldwide, 8% of children and 15% of adolescents experience a mental disorder, but the majority of them do not seek help or receive care. Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15-29 year-olds. The consequences of not addressing mental health and psychosocial development for children and adolescents extend to adulthood and limit opportunities for leading fulfilling lives.” [i] 

Most indicators show that youth mental health has worsened over the past decade, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the CDC (2024) 42% of high-school students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness — up from 28% in 2011. Also, 22% seriously considered suicide, nearly double the rate from a decade earlier.

“Key facts:

• Globally, one in seven 10-19 year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 15% of the global burden of disease in this age group.
• Depression, anxiety and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those aged 15–29 years old.
• The consequences of failing to address adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood, impairing both physical and mental health and limiting opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults.” [ii]



WHY YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH IS GETTING WORSE

There are multiple, overlapping factors that help explain why youth mental health is getting worse. Below are some of the factors, as listed by Chat GPT. 

• “Social media and digital pressure: constant comparison, cyberbullying, and reduced real-life connection.
• Pandemic disruption: isolation, academic loss, and family stressors intensified symptoms.
• Academic and economic pressure — fear of failure, high competition, and financial insecurity.
• Access barriers: long wait times, provider shortages, and stigma prevent treatment.
• Global instability: climate anxiety, violence, and polarization add chronic stress.” [iii]

To learn more about this topic, we developed a briefing paper entitled, How Afterschool Programs Can Address the Youth Mental Health Crisis. You can also join an upcoming webinar on this topic for free, by checking out our Eventbrite Page. 

END NOTES:
[i] World Health Organization, Improving the mental and brain health of children and adolescents
[ii] World Health Organization, Mental Health of Adolescents
[iii] Chat GPT, What factors help explain why youth mental health is getting worse?