Anxiety among younger patients up by 61%; depression, 45%
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
Diagnosed mental and behavioral health issues among adolescents jumped 35% between 2016 and 2023, according to the National Survey of Children’s Health. Among diagnoses, anxiety increased by 61% and depression increased by 45%.
Part of the reason is that more of the younger patients are receiving diagnoses.
“There’s considerably less stigma around mental health,” said Steve Demanchick, Ph.D., professor of art therapy, chairman of the Creative Arts Department, and director of the Play Therapy Center at Nazareth. “We are more open and maybe kids are more open to talking about their mental health. Then it becomes more in public awareness and we’re seeing it more in advertising so kids who may not have shared that 20 years ago are reporting it more to parents, teachers and pediatricians. There’s decreased stigma. There’s more communication about it on social media. Kids are more aware of those conversations and hearing stories from other kids. We see a bombardment of advertising about medication which keeps it in the public perception.”
More healthcare providers, coaches, teachers and parents have awareness of mental health among youth. In part, the pandemic instigated more conversations about mental health among all ages. Demanchick said that more adults are learning that children are “allowed” to have emotions, but adults’ job is to help the youth in their care to better learn how to regulate their emotions.
Kristin D’Amico, licensed marriage and family therapist at Highland Family Medicine’s Behavioral Health, said that greater access to care has increased the number of kids diagnosed. However, “kids today have different things on their plate than other generations. We can’t not talk about the impacts of COVID. We’ll be learning about that for a long time. There’s also the impact on their parents’ mental health. If they’re struggling, it’s hard to be a healthy parent. A lot of kids now are in tune to things that are going on globally like the political climate. Many teens are activists and are aware of what’s going on. But it’s a lot.”
Helping Support Youth’s Mental Health
Tips from Steve Demanchick, Ph.D., professor of art therapy, chair of the Creative Arts Department, and director of the Play Therapy Center at Nazareth:
• “Spend some quality time with your kids. It’s essential. I think looking at the ever-busy schedules and prioritizing what’s really needed and maybe we don’t have to be full-throttle 24/7.
• “Parents can learn about their own emotions and their own ability to regulate so if I am more regulated and am able to deal with my emotions, there’s a good chance my kids will learn that as well. I can be present for my child.”
Tips from Kristin D’Amico, licensed marriage and family therapist at Highland Family Medicine’s Behavioral Health:
• “Take your kids to a shelter to volunteer. Getting out and connecting is helpful in fighting depression. Kids might see things in the news and want to get out in the community and make a difference. It can be a huge antidote to depression.
• “Parents shouldn’t be scared to talk with kids about depression. Kids know a lot more than we think they do. We should ask what they know. Kids know what depression is and know the word. As the adults in their lives, can we fill in the gaps for them instead of having them piece it together themselves?
• “It’s also important that parents stay in contact with schools. There are resources with counseling offices and they have therapists. If they have any thoughts creating a team around this kid, that can be very helpful.”