Eloisa Ramos/Stocksy United Depressive and #anxiety symptoms in #youth doubled during the #pandemic, with 25 percent experiencing depressive symptoms and 20 percent experiencing #anxiety symptoms.Symptoms of #depression had already been rising in #teens in recent years.Data from early 2021 shows that emergency room visits in the U.S. for suspected #suicideattempts were 51 percent higher for #girls and 4 percent higher for #boys compared to the same period in early 2019. As we continue to battle the #COVID-19 #pandemic, another health crisis is rising quickly behind it. The U.S. Surgeon General issued a public health advisory on the #mentalhealthchallenges that #children and #teenagers are facing in the midst of the #pandemic. According to the Surgeon General’s report, depressive and #anxiety symptoms in #youth doubled during the #pandemic, with 25 percent of #youth experiencing depressive symptoms and 20 percent experiencing #anxiety symptoms. Beyond that, data from early 2021 shows that emergency room visits in the #UnitedStates for suspected #suicideattempts were 51 percent higher for #girls and 4 percent higher for #boys compared to the same period in early 2019. We’ve partnered with Newport Academy, a #mentalhealthtreatment program for #teens, to explore how the #COVID-19 #pandemic is affecting #teen #mentalhealth. #Depression and #anxiety in #youth pre-#pandemic #Depression and #anxiety levels have been rising for #kids and #teenagers even before the #pandemic. In 2019, 1 in 3 #highschoolstudents and half of #female #students reported feelings of sadness or #hopelessness Trusted Source in the past year that they couldn’t participate in their regular activities, which is an increase of 40 percent since 2009. But because of #pandemic-related protocols, including reduced in-person interactions among friends, social supports, and professionals, experts say that it became more difficult to recognize the signs of #childabuse, #mentalhealthissues, and other concerns. “#Socialisolation through the #pandemic, #stress in #school, conflict at home with #parents who are also highly stressed creates a powder keg in the house. Everyone has been dealing with an emotional experience during #COVID,” said Becky Lois, PhD. Lois is co-director of the KiDS of NYU Foundation Integrated #BehavioralHealth Program at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone and a clinical #psychologist in the Department of #Child & #Adolescent Psychiatry at NYU Langone. According to the #WorldHealthOrganization’s Determinants of #Adolescent Health Development, there are several factors that can shape the #mentalhealth of young people. These include social and economic inequalities, neighborhood safety, relationships at #school and in community, relationships with family, as well as age, #race, #ethnicity, #gender, etc. Lois also pointed out that it wasn’t just the #pandemic itself that caused #stress. #Children who face discrimination also face higher risk of #anxiety and #depression. “A significant layer of this also has to do with the discrimination that has come to light. It increases the vulnerability for families of color, #sexualidentity and orientation,” Lois said. How to treat #depression and #anxiety in #teens One of the most important ways to help #kids who are struggling with #stress, #anxiety, or #depression is simply to talk about it. “Have a conversation about how hard things are. Normalize and validate that experience for your #child,” said Lois. “Just being able to have a conversation and acknowledge that things aren’t easy is a first step for #parents to hear directly from their #child how they are doing.” If #parents are concerned, they can also engage the #school environment and contact counselors, #psychologists, and #socialworkers in a #school setting who may be able to check in. Newport Academy offers #mentalhealthtreatment for #teens dealing with #anxiety, #depression, #substanceabuse, #eatingdisorders, and other #mentalhealthconditions. “Prevention and early intervention are the two key strategies to tackle the ever-increasing #adolescent and #youth #mentalhealthissues,” said Dr. Peng Pang, director of #child and #adolescent psychiatry at Staten Island University Hospital. The Surgeon General’s advisory pointed out that groups including community organizations, #healthcareprofessionals, and government institutions, among others, can push to highlight the importance of paying attention to #mentalhealth. “By investing in education on #mentalhealthtopics using developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive communication, we can all learn and participate in #mentalhealthprevention and build a strong healthy society,” Pang said. Lois said that the fact that the surgeon general issued this report is a sign that people are taking the crisis seriously. “I think it’s heartening that the surgeon general and the government at large is acknowledging this crisis of #mentalhealth in #children and trying to activate our system,” said Lois. “Maybe this will activate the system and make it OK for people to raise their hand and say that they are not OK.” #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 How can #parents spot early warning signs of #depression or #anxiety in #teens? Because the day-to-day activities of everyone in the household during a #pandemic may be different from years prior, experts say that it may be possible that #parents overlook a child’s #mentalhealthstruggle. However, there are some common warning signs to look out for. “Signs of #depression and #anxiety in #youth can be distancing, social withdrawal, lack of interest in activities they once engaged in, feeling sad and down, restless, and fearful,” said Lois. “Younger #children can be irritable, act out, or can complain of physical symptoms like stomach aches and headaches.” Lois says that if you notice these things starting to happen, or if patterns are different in your #child, it could be indications that they’re going through something stressful. “It doesn’t mean your kid is anxious or depressed. They may not meet the threshold for clinical diagnosis. But if you’re seeing them act differently it’s great to be aware to catch it early and try to intervene before #stress escalates and impairs their ability to function,” she explained.
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