Youth Mental Health
We see headlines daily addressing the current youth mental health crisis. Research shows there has been a dramatic increase in mental illness, anxiety, depression, and suicide among youth. Students today are facing significant cultural pressures and negative messages that generations before them have never experienced. In addition, they are navigating extreme levels of isolation and loneliness brought on by the pandemic. Here are some alarming statistics:
- 7 in 10 teens are struggling with their mental health in the wake of the pandemic. 64% believe this will have a lasting impact on them. National 4‑H Council
- Teen girls are experiencing record high levels of violence, sadness, and suicide risk. Nearly 3 in 5 (57%) U.S. teen girls felt persistently sad or hopeless in 2021. 2021 CDC Survey
- 2.5 million youth in the U.S. have severe depression due to factors like the pandemic and the permeation of social media. Mental Health America, 2022 Key Findings Report
- GenZ Americans reveal the extent of this generation’s social media fixation. The survey found that 86% of those ages 16 to 24-years-old reported that social media directly negatively impacts their happiness. A 2021 ExpressVPN survey of 1,500 GenZ Americans
- 1 in 6 youth reported making a suicide plan in 2019, a 44% increase since 2009. –CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Data Summary & Trends Report: 2009-2019
What is Mental Health?
According to MentalHealth.gov, mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood. There are many factors that contribute to mental health problems, including:
- Biological factors, such as genes or brain chemistry
- Life experiences, such as trauma or abuse
- Family history of mental problems
The Importance of Youth Mental Health
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states, “Mental health problems in youth often go hand-in-hand with other health and behavioral risks like increased risk of drug use, experiencing violence, and higher risk sexual behaviors than can lead to HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy. Because many health behaviors and habits are established in adolescence that will carry over into adult years, it is very important to help youth develop good mental health.” There are many benefits to good mental health, including:
- Improves mood
- Increases self-esteem
- Clearer thinking
- The feeling of connectedness, which can protect adolescents from other risks like drug use and violence
4 Positive Mental Health Habits
- Focus on your breath: Try implementing the breathing technique 4:4:4:4 into your daily routine. Over time, this will help you to feel more relaxed, and can help to improve your overall mental health. This routine could take place in the morning before you get ready for school, in the bathroom right before class, after school before starting your homework, or at night before going to bed. How it works: Take a deep breath in for 4 seconds; Hold that breath for 4 seconds; Exhale breath for 4 seconds; Repeat process 4 times.
- Create routines: Research shows predictable, repetitive routines are calming and can help reduce anxiety. They also help you take control of your day and subsequently, your life.
- Progress, not perfection: Progress means you are moving toward a goal. Having perfect days isn’t obtainable but making a bit of progress over time can lead to a big result. The goal is not to be perfect, but to make progress each day.
Talk to a trusted adult: If you are having any negative thoughts or feelings, ask for help from a trusted adult (a parent, school counselor, teacher, coach, etc.) Feeling overwhelmed isn’t something you should deal with alone, and they can help to ensure you get the support you need.
How to Support Youth and Their Mental Health
The best way to support students and their mental health is to make them feel connected to positive peers, family, and a healthy school environment. In a recent Mental Health America paper titled Youth and Young Adult Peer Support, “People struggling with their mental health found that peers and their communities were essential in not just understanding their challenges but also building solutions.”
This is why our YES positive youth development programs are vital; because we believe A connected student is a protected student.® The YES mission gives K-12th grade students the opportunity to choose a positive path; to put their dreams and goals above social pressures; to know their value and self-worth; and to connect them to positive peers who will support them through adversity.
More specifically, our student mental health programs (offered to 3rd-12th grades) destigmatize common misconceptions around mental health and provide tools to help them navigate life’s challenges.
Book a YES Mental Health Program!
At YES, we address the youth mental health crisis by equipping students with tools to manage stress, build resilience, and recognize their self-worth. Our programs also support the caring adults in their lives—educators and parents—with practical resources to better understand and respond to what students are facing.
Want to bring one of our mental health programs to your school? Reach out through our Book Now page, and a member of our team will be in touch within one business day.
YES Motivational Moments Mini Video Series: Mental Health
Short, relatable, and designed with today’s youth in mind—the YES Motivational Moments Mini Video Series features under-3-minute videos that tackle key topics in teen culture. Each video is paired with a simple discussion guide to help spark meaningful conversations between parents, educators, and the students in their lives.
