BY JONATHAN TERCASIO

by Capital News Service

#Mentalhealthdisorders among #American #teenagers have soared in the past fifteen years. 

From 2007 to 2019, the share of #adolescents who reported having a major depressive episode jumped 60%, from roughly 2 million to about 3.2 million, according to the Pew Research Center. The number of #highschoolstudents in the U.S. who reported persistent feelings of sadness or #suicidalideation also increased, according to data from the #CentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention. 

Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

But these #mentalhealthissues have impacted certain demographics more than others. More than 46% of #teenage #girls – ages 12 through 17 – reported experiencing sadness or #hopelessness in 2017, according to the #CDC. That same year, nearly one in five #teenage #girls reported having at least one major depressive episode – almost three times more common than #teenage #boys. 

While #teenage #boys were less likely to have a “major depressive episode,” only 33% of depressed #adolescent #boys received treatment, whereas 45% of #teenage #girls with recent depressive episodes received treatment. 

Minority groups such as #Hispanics and the #LGBTQ community were also more likely to experience persistent feelings of sadness or #hopelessness, according to the #CDC. 

Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Despite this recent uptick, overall suicidal thoughts among U.S. #teens has dropped in the last 30 years. The share of #teens who have seriously considered attempting #suicide fell from 29% in 1991 to 18.8% in 2017, according to the #CDC, but #suicideattempts since 1991 have risen. 

Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The habits of #American #teens have also shifted since the 1990s. 

#Drug use and #alcohol consumption have dropped from 1991 to 2019. About 50% of #teenagers in 1991 regularly consumed #alcohol, but that share fell to 29.2% in 2019, according to #CDC data.

Cigarette use has also declined since 1991, despite a recent uptick in electronic vape use. Additionally, #marijuana use is on the rise but still below the record high of 26.7% of #teens in 1999, according to the #CDC. 

The share of U.S. #teenagers who have ever tried Illicit #drugs – including cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, ecstasy, or hallucinogens – is down as well, dropping from 28.8% in 1999 to 14.8% in 2019. 

The percentage of sexually active #teenagers has also declined. In 1991, around 54% of #teens have had sex at least once, compared to 38.4% in 2019. 

But one of the most significant changes for #American #teens is time spent on a computer – including smartphones, tablets and video games. In 2003, around 22.1% of #teens spent three or more hours per day on a computer, compared to 46.1% in 2017, according to the #CDC. 

#James Donaldson notes:

Welcome to the “next chapter” of my life… being a voice and an advocate for #mentalhealthawarenessandsuicideprevention, especially pertaining to our younger generation of students and student-athletes.

Getting men to speak up and reach out for help and assistance is one of my passions. Us men need to not suffer in silence or drown our sorrows in alcohol, hang out at bars and strip joints, or get involved with drug use.

Having gone through a recent bout of #depression and #suicidalthoughts myself, I realize now, that I can make a huge difference in the lives of so many by sharing my story, and by sharing various resources I come across as I work in this space.  #http://bit.ly/JamesMentalHealthArticle

Order your copy of James Donaldson's latest book,

Celebrating Your Gift of Life:

From The Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy

http://www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com

Credit: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Along with a surge in screen time, #teens in the U.S. have also been getting less sleep and have been less physically active over the past 15 years. 

Credit: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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