Mental Health & Youth
(School Community Intervention and Prevention March 2020)
Mental health and behavioral concerns among adolescents have been on the rise for the last decade. It should be noted that about 1 out of 5 youth (between 12yrs.-18yrs.) have at least one mental health disorder.
Mental health and behavioral concerns among adolescents have been on the rise for the last decade. It should be noted that about 1 out of 5 youth (between 12yrs.-18yrs.) have at least one mental health disorder.
Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health disorders reported in youth. According to
the National Institutes of Health, almost 1 out of 3 youth (31.9%) will develop an anxiety disorder. There are several types of anxiety disorders.
the National Institutes of Health, almost 1 out of 3 youth (31.9%) will develop an anxiety disorder. There are several types of anxiety disorders.
• Generalized anxiety disorder is excessive worry and/or apprehension about a number of
events or activities;
events or activities;
• Phobias are highly specific and exclusive fears;
• Separation anxiety disorder is the child or adolescent's excessive worry and
apprehension about being away from their parents;
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a condition involving obsessions and compulsions.
• Panic disorder is characterized by discrete and intense periods of anxiety that
occur unexpectedly, without warning.
• Post-traumatic stress disorder is an intense re-experiencing of a traumatic event by
distressing recollections, dreams, and/or associations (such as things or situations that
remind the child or adolescent of the traumatic event).
And even though, in the past 10 years, there has been increase in anxiety in youth, as little
as 1% of youth who have symptoms of anxiety seek out treatment within a 12- month time period.
as 1% of youth who have symptoms of anxiety seek out treatment within a 12- month time period.
Likewise, according to a recent study released by the American Psychological Association,
rates of mood disorders and suicide-related results have increased drastically over the last ten years among adolescents.
rates of mood disorders and suicide-related results have increased drastically over the last ten years among adolescents.
According to the 2016-2017 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), almost 1 in 3 youth
(31.5%) report being depressed in the past 12 months.
(31.5%) report being depressed in the past 12 months.
And while depression is one of the most common and treatable mental health disorders, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that only about 1 out of 5 youth (20%) who live with a mental health disorder, like depression, receive treatment for their disorder.
Furthermore, the 2017 YRBS shows that almost 1 in 6 youth (17.2%) have contemplated
suicide in the past 12 months and almost 1out of 12 youth (7.4) have attempted suicide in the past 12 months.
suicide in the past 12 months and almost 1out of 12 youth (7.4) have attempted suicide in the past 12 months.
While bipolar disorder is rather uncommon in youth and adolescents, as less than 3 out of 100
kids and adolescents (2.9%) are diagnosed with the disorder, the disorder causes extreme
changes in a person’s mood, actions, thinking, and overall behavior
kids and adolescents (2.9%) are diagnosed with the disorder, the disorder causes extreme
changes in a person’s mood, actions, thinking, and overall behavior
School Community Intervention and Prevention March 2020
SCIP is funded in part by: Lincoln Public Schools, United Way of Lincoln/Lancaster County, Region V
Systems, Nebraska DHHS: Division of Behavioral Health and Region 4 Behavioral Health System
Systems, Nebraska DHHS: Division of Behavioral Health and Region 4 Behavioral Health System
which not only impacts that one student but can impact and disrupt an entire classroom.
Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder have periods/episodes of time of mania and
depression.
Children and adolescents with bipolar disorder have periods/episodes of time of mania and
depression.
• Mania Episodes: An episode of mania includes a period where someone’s mood has
changed and it is elevated (overly happy), expansive, or very irritable and the person also
has increased energy at the same time.
changed and it is elevated (overly happy), expansive, or very irritable and the person also
has increased energy at the same time.
• Depressive Episodes: People who have bipolar disorder may also experience periods of
depression. An episode of depression includes low, depressed, or irritable mood.
depression. An episode of depression includes low, depressed, or irritable mood.
Mental and emotional health refers to the overall psychological well-being of a person.
It includes the way one feels about themselves, the quality of their relationships, and their
ability to manage their feelings and deal with difficulties.
It includes the way one feels about themselves, the quality of their relationships, and their
ability to manage their feelings and deal with difficulties.
With all that being said, there are things that can help youth and adults alike improve their
mental health, whether one has a diagnosed disorder or not. Just like it takes effort to build
and maintain good physical health, it also takes effort to build and maintain good mental and
emotional health.
mental health, whether one has a diagnosed disorder or not. Just like it takes effort to build
and maintain good physical health, it also takes effort to build and maintain good mental and
emotional health.
• Get enough rest. To have good mental and emotional health, it’s important to take care
of your body. That includes getting enough sleep.
of your body. That includes getting enough sleep.
• Learn and practice good nutrition and eating habits.
• Exercise to relieve stress and lift your mood.
• Get a dose of sunlight every day. Sunlight lifts your mood.
• Do things that positively impact others. Being useful to others and being valued for what
you do can help build self-esteem.
you do can help build self-esteem.
• Make leisure time a priority.
https://bosr.unl.edu/20162017-yrbs-results
www.helpguide.org/articles/...health/improving-emotional-health.htm
https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-by-the-numbers
www.ajmc.com › focus-of-the-week › mental-health-issues-on-the-ris...
www.psychcongress.com › article › mental-health-issues-increasing-a.
www.cnn.com › health › children-teens-mental-health-untreated-study
www.cdc.gov › childrensmentalhealth › features › anxiety-depression
School Community Intervention and Prevention March 2020
SCIP is funded in part by: Lincoln Public Schools, United Way of Lincoln/Lancaster County, Region V
Systems, Nebraska DHHS: Division of Behavioral Health and Region 4 Behavioral Health System
Systems, Nebraska DHHS: Division of Behavioral Health and Region 4 Behavioral Health System
