It would not be shocking if a large number of individuals missed the latest Surgeon generals warning on youth mental health given the volume of news that is now being reported. But this warning raises serious concerns about a problem that is crucial to the functioning of the American educational system.
According to a 2021 study by the Surgeon General, children in this generation are facing problems that are "unprecedented and uniquely hard to navigate," and these challenges are having a detrimental effect on their mental health. The research referenced studies showing that, in just over a decade, the percentage of high school pupils reporting persistent feelings of hopelessness had increased by 40% to one-third, including half of female students. In light of this, it's critical to look into the youth mental health problem and the ways that schools can help.
The reasons behind youth mental health crisis
Understanding youth mental health requires taking a holistic approach, showing that a variety of factors ultimately contribute to an ecological model that governs mental and emotional well-being. These elements comprise the person, their connections, institutions such as communities and schools, laws, and society.
It follows that a wide range of factors contribute to the teenage mental health problem that the Surgeon General addressed. The Surgeon General's report specifically cited a number of these, including the growing significance of social media, the inability of teenagers to access mental health services, and exposure to a cascade of significant toxic stress events, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, rising income inequality, gun violence, and the 2008 financial crisis.
The growing number of school-age children experiencing toxic stress and poor emotional health has led to a drive for greater emotional wellness. In a recent joint statement, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and the Children's Hospital Association declared teenage mental health to be a national emergency. The Surgeon General listed several evidence-based risk factors that increase young people's vulnerability to mental health issues, such as:
- Lack of food, unstable housing, or unstable finances
- Living in an urban area
- Suffering from traumatic childhood events including discrimination, abuse, or neglect
- Having disturbances in the usual
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