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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]
“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.
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]
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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.
[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?
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