The COVID-19 pandemic and a growing body of research highlight that the mental health of adolescents is a public health crisis. Many adolescents experience persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and some are at risk for suicide.
Invest in equitable prevention and promotion programs, especially for adolescents who are at greater risk. This includes adolescents living in fragile and humanitarian settings, or those with chronic illness; or adolescent mothers or adolescent fathers.
Adolescents
Adolescence is a time of intense emotions, mental highs and lows. While this can be a normal part of the emotional landscape, it is also a time when many mental health disorders first emerge. These disorders disrupt emotional, social and cognitive functioning. Some of the most common conditions in adolescents include anxiety disorders, such as phobias, excessive worry and fear; depression disorders, which are characterised by feelings of hopelessness or helplessness; and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
The onset of these conditions is often triggered by environmental factors, such as family dysfunction and substance abuse. Academic pressure and the stress of trying to cope with traumatic events can also contribute.
The consequences of untreated adolescent mental health disorders can have long-term, negative implications on physical and mental well-being. Adolescents with a mental illness are at increased risk of poor educational performance and school dropout, strained relationships with family members and involvement in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems. They are also at higher risk of suicide and of engaging in unhealthy behaviours, such as self-medicating with alcohol or drugs.
Young Adults
Young adults are at risk for mental illness due to a number of factors, including financial worries and achievement pressures. Many young people also face a sense of disconnection from others, and this can contribute to depression. Research shows that the suicide rate has increased for both adolescents and young adults.
Poor mental health in young people can have a number of impacts on family life, including relationship problems and difficulties with parenting. It can also impact on employment, educational and social outcomes for the whole family.
In many countries, psychiatric services now have teams that specialise in ‘young people’, moving away from the traditional division of services between children and adults. This can help with more effective treatment and prevention. GPs can refer young people to these specialist services, which are often free for those aged under 25. They can also get Medicare rebates for up to 10 sessions per year with a mental health professional.
Family
Developing strong relationships with family and friends is critical to youth mental health. This can prevent or keep mental health conditions from getting worse.
It can also help to know what the warning signs are, how to get help, and how to take care of yourself. You can also be an advocate for youth by creating environments and relationships that nurture mental health, such as having safe, supportive homes, schools, and communities, providing access to healthy food, and minimizing exposure to violence and online risks.
Supporting the emotional and behavioral health of youth requires new approaches that address the root causes of their challenges. This includes addressing the structural factors that affect millions of young people, like poverty, food insecurity, and homelessness; increasing mental health services; and reducing stigma. It also requires a stronger, more representative workforce to support children, youth, and families, including creating coverage pathways for behavioral health services. Embark Behavioral Health is a network of outpatient centers and residential programs dedicated to its big mission: Reversing the trends of preteen, teen, and young adult anxiety, depression, and suicide by 2028.
Community
A strong community support system can help youth address mental health challenges. This includes creating a safe and stable environment, providing access to high-quality mental health care, and encouraging family members to seek help for themselves and their loved ones.
It is also essential to recognize and address societal factors that can lead to poor mental health, including poverty, discrimination, violence and inequity. This requires sustained commitment, collaboration and a culture of prioritizing mental health.
Ensure that all young people have comprehensive and affordable coverage for mental health care, with integrated screening and treatment. Expand and support school-based mental health services and social and emotional learning programs. Increase awareness of mental health issues, early signs and symptoms, and dispel myths and misconceptions. Increase research to identify and target youth-specific mental health needs, especially among at-risk populations (e.g., racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ youth, and those in foster care or juvenile justice systems). Elevate the voices of youth in decision-making and program development.