Addressing The Youth Mental Health and Substance Abuse Crisis:
We're Focused On Providing More Programs and Services for Youth and Families
Over the past decade, even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, adolescents in the United States began to experience greater rates of mental health problems. In 2019, 16% of youth ages 12-17 reported experiencing a past-year major depressive episode (MDE), compared to 8% in 2009, double the previous rate. Rates of children’s emergency department visits related to deliberate self-harm increased 329% between 2007 and 2016. Deaths by suicide among youth increased by over 30% between 2014 and 2017.
COVID-19 is worsening these alarming trends among youth and adolescents. From March to October of 2020, children’s visits to the emergency room for mental health conditions increased 31% for those 12-17 years old and 24% for children ages 5-11 compared to the same period in 2019.
COVID-19 is worsening these alarming trends among youth and adolescents. From March to October of 2020, children’s visits to the emergency room for mental health conditions increased 31% for those 12-17 years old and 24% for children ages 5-11 compared to the same period in 2019.
