Young people of the world today are experiencing mental health problems far greater than any generation to ever come before. And no, they are not just ‘moody teens.’
Rates of depression, anxiety, suicide, and other mental health problems in young people are rising faster than the world can keep up with. But why? What factors are contributing to the decline in mental health among young people? Mental health problems spare no one, and even children as young as 5 are experiencing the burden of mental illness.
To be able to support young people of today’s world, we must raise awareness and spread education. By doing so, we can advocate for our children, and understand their pain.
Mental Health Statistics of Young People in the UK
Statistics of mental health have increased significantly, not only in the UK but all over the world over the last few years. But by just how much?
Take a look at these statistics from YoungMinds:
- The rate of mental illness in 6-16 year olds has increased from 11.6% to 17.4% since 2017
- The rate of mental illness in 17-19 year olds has increased from 10.1% to 17.4%
- Since 2017, nearly 40% of young people aged 6-16 reported a decrease in their mental health
- Since 2017, nearly 50% of older teens reported a decrease in their mental health
- 1 in 6 children aged 5-16 were identified as likely having a mental health problem in July 2021
- 83% of young people who had previous mental health problems agreed that coronavirus made their issues worse
- In 2019, suicide was the leading cause of death for both males and females aged 5-34
- Around 50% of teens aged 17-19 have attempted self-harm or suicide at some point
What Is Causing the Rise In Mental Health Issues Among Young People?
Mental health is a complex topic, often with no definable answer.
As much as we all wish mental health was black and white, it is instead a grey area: a combination of childhood experiences, the environment lived in, academic experience, genetics, world events, and more.
Let’s look at a few of the most common reasons young people today are struggling to maintain their own mental health:
Social Media
The internet was arguably the invention that changed the world. While the world wide web has many benefits, it has been thought of as one of the most destructive forces working against not only the mental health of young people, but also adults.
Young people however are incredibly vulnerable during their formative years, and consistent social media use has been shown to cause a decline in mental health. In fact, a 2019 study conducted in England showed that young people who used social media more than 3 times a day displayed poorer mental health and an increase in depression and anxiety, than those who did not.
Social media portrays everyone’s life to be perfect, except ours. Young people who spend day and night scrolling through images of ‘perfect’ bodies, free from acne, scars, cellulite, stretch marks, or ageing, are naturally going to experience a decrease in self-esteem and self-worth.
This is a breeding ground for depression and anxiety to take place.
Not only is it incredibly harmful for young girls to see unrealistic body types online, young people are reportedly less satisfied with their lives than ever, as social media praises influencers that spend their lives traveling and living luxurious lifestyles. This has caused an overall decrease in happiness and fulfilment in young people today.
Coronavirus
In July of 2020, a mere 6 months after coronavirus first took hold of the world, a study was conducted among young people. The results found that young people aged 10-16 who already had mental health problems experienced an increase in symptoms.
Coronavirus didn’t just impact those who were already depressed, though. Young people with lower rates of mental health problems experienced an increase as well, with many of them turned into full blown depression or anxiety disorders.
For many who were experiencing mental health issues during coronavirus, they lacked access to the support and treatment they needed due to mandatory lockdowns. This made it incredibly difficult to keep up with any treatment plans they had in place, furthering the decline of their mental health.
Not only this, but many young people were also now isolated in ways they never were before. This kind of isolation has a profound effect on young minds as they were no longer allowed to socialise with friends or attend school. Many of them missed out on important events such as graduation, furthering their feelings of depression.
Awareness
Mental health has always been an issue in our world, but it wasn’t until recently that society began to speak up about it. What was once a taboo subject has now become more accepted.
Many people have speculated that the rates of mental health struggles in young people isn’t increasing, but rather they simply were not reported before. The stigma of mental health prevented many, many young people from ever seeking treatment for their depression or anxiety. Due to this, they were forced to deal with their emotions on their own without ever speaking to a mental health professional.
Now that it has become not only normalised but encouraged to seek help for mental health problems, young people are actively seeking treatment. So, it begs the question: is the rate of mental health disorders in young people increasing, or are we just now seeing it as it always has been?
Young People and Their Mental Health
No matter if it is due to an increase in awareness, or if it is because social media has destroyed their mental health, either way, young people are suffering. There is no way to ignore the alarming statistics right before our eyes.
If you are a parent, talk to your child. Keep communication open and remind them you’re a safe space. Talk to them using active listening techniques as well as keeping any judgments or criticisms to yourself. Your child needs a shoulder to lean on, rather than a life lesson. The best gift you can give your children is your presence.
Keep your eyes out for any changes in behaviour, sleeping partners, academic work, or eating habits. Do not hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional if you feel you need to. Seeking support for your child’s mental health does not mean they are broken or weak. It simply means they are human.
Orchestrate Health offers bespoke mental health services that young people can access from the comfort of their own home or within their community, with rapid response times and even daily visits if needed. Orchestrate Health can provide help for those struggling with mental health disorders, and remove the inconvenience of travelling to and from appointments.
Resources:
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/about-us/media-centre/mental-health-statistics/
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/supporting-others/childrens-mental-health/#support
