Orlando, Florida – As mental health concerns mount among adolescents in the United States, a National State of Emergency in Child and Adolescent Mental Health was declared in 2021, echoing advisories from the U.S. Surgeon General in 2021 and 2023. The backdrop to this emergency is a landscape where adolescents are grappling with increasing instances of adverse experiences, a surge in youth drug overdose fatalities, and a spike in gun violence incidents. In 2021, 42% of adolescents disclosed feelings of sadness and hopelessness, suggestive of depressive disorder, marking a significant rise from 28% in 2011. Additionally, a recent KFF poll revealed that 55% of the public perceives youth mental health issues in the U.S. as a crisis, with many children and teenagers struggling to access essential mental health services.
Data on adolescent mental health is often incomplete, with parents or guardians frequently responding to surveys on behalf of youth in their households. However, the newly released Teen National Health Interview Survey (NHIS-Teen) directly surveyed adolescents aged 12-17, providing a more accurate representation of adolescent mental health. This report utilizes NHIS-Teen data collected over an 18-month period from 2021 to 2022 to analyze current trends in adolescent mental health, mental health care utilization, unmet needs, and demographic variances, including sex and sexual identity. Supplementary survey data from adolescent populations, such as the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) and the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), are incorporated to offer additional context.
Key findings reveal that in 2021 and 2022, 21% of adolescents reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety in the past two weeks, while 17% reported symptoms of depression. Female and LGBT+ adolescents were more likely to report anxiety and depression compared to their counterparts. Deaths due to drug overdose among adolescents more than doubled from 2018 to 2022, with Hispanic and Black adolescents experiencing the most significant increases. Suicides remain the second leading cause of death among adolescents, though rates have declined in recent years, with disparities observed among different racial and ethnic groups. Additionally, a notable percentage of adolescents reported adverse experiences, including bullying, emotional abuse, and neighborhood violence, all of which can have detrimental effects on mental health.
Access to mental health services remains a challenge for many adolescents, with disparities noted among different demographic groups. While some adolescents received mental health care, a substantial portion reported not receiving the therapy they needed due to various barriers. Further exploration reveals the complex interplay between mental health and substance use among adolescents, underscoring the importance of addressing both issues comprehensively. The article identifies a concerning rise in gun violence incidents impacting children and adolescents, with implications for their mental health and well-being.
Looking ahead, national efforts are underway to address youth mental health concerns, with recommendations focusing on mental health screenings, social media safety protocols, and the expansion of school-based mental health services through legislative measures. State and local initiatives aim to enhance access to mental health care for youth, promoting interventions that bridge gaps in service provision. As the landscape of adolescent mental health continues to evolve, efforts to address underlying issues and mitigate challenges are critical in safeguarding the well-being of this vulnerable population.