Research shows that half of all mental disorders start to develop in individuals as young as fourteen years old. Unfortunately, these illnesses evolve as the individuals grow older, which is why major mental disorders make up 45% of global diseases among individuals between the ages of 0-25. Below is a closer look at the youth mental health crisis and why organizations like AIM Youth Mental Health are finding and funding solutions for the mental health challenges youth are facing.
The Alarming State of Young People’s Mental Health
Mental disorders can affect one’s overall health and quality of life, and the effects of these can extend into the rest of the community, which makes it a public health concern. Alarmingly, the UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children 2021 report highlights that about 13% percent of youth aged 10-19 are living with a diagnosed mental disorder. While mental disorders can cause significant suffering, the report highlights that these conditions are becoming a leading cause of death, disease, and disability for individuals at an early stage of their lives.
Among childhood mental disorders, anxiety is by far the most common. About seven percent of children suffer from anxiety, and one in three adolescents experience it during their teenage years. This can impact their ability to participate in school and create meaningful friendships with their peers, which in turn could have far reaching effects on socialization.
Despite the significant effects of mental disorders on children, AIM’s article on the research for anxiety in kids highlights that some science-based treatments for mental disorders simply don’t work, especially for younger children. The lack of research in youth mental health makes it difficult for experts and worried parents to stop the development of mental disorders before it’s too late.
Why is Youth Mental Health Research Important?
Although there’s still a way to go in terms of infrastructure and support, authorities are now being pushed to take a closer look at the root causes, health effects, and proper interventions for youth mental health.
Case in point: schools are now working to put measures in place to better support students’ mental wellness. Academic institutions are also being advised to make adjustments to curricula for the benefit of students. For instance, social and emotional learning, also known as SEL, is now being integrated in classes to help children comprehend and manage their emotions. Meanwhile, psychology programs have extensive research courses that allow students to collaborate with experienced faculty members on projects regarding mental health. Through the mentorship of more experienced faculty, graduates can develop a greater understanding of human behavior, as well as comprehensive knowledge on mental and behavioral healthcare.
Scholars and researchers can establish evidence-based interventions and systematic policies that can protect the mental wellness of the youth. To illustrate, a review on population-based approaches to mental health revealed that 25% of mood disorders among US adults were caused by childhood abuse. In response, the National Conference of State Legislatures is working on creating evidence-supported policies that can prevent adverse childhood experiences, like physical or sexual abuse.
The review also discovered that financial and housing insecurity can cause chronic stress and even suicide, which is why public housing subsidies are being established for low-income adults and their children. Similarly, investing in research studies on youth mental health can address the root causes of these conditions, and pave the way for more concrete, comprehensive solutions.
The causes for mental distress and illness in children are complex, multilayered, and varied. Although steps are being taken to develop programs for young people all over the world, greater investment in research and mental health infrastructure is necessary in order to help, and prevent more children from suffering.
Article contributed by Ruthie Jossen
Exclusively for AIM Youth Mental Health
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Krista Reuther is the Assistant Director of Ohana’s Community Health and Prevention Program. She received her Masters in Public Health and Social Work at UC Berkeley. She comes to this position after 14 years of clinical social work experience at Stanford Children’s Hospital in pediatric oncology, critical care, and bereavement. Her goal is to reduce the incidence of mental illness in children and adolescents in Monterey County.
Dr. Guss is a 35-year veteran educator with a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership. She served as a classroom teacher for 10 years, including two years as a teacher in a bilingual program in South Central Los Angeles. She has also served as a college professor, mentor teacher for new teachers, and a master teacher for teacher candidates completing their student teaching experience. She continues to be a strong advocate for the teaching profession.
Fellowship: Stanford University School of Medicine (1994) CA
Michael G. Thompson, Ph.D. is a consultant, author and psychologist specializing in children and families. He is the supervising psychologist for the Belmont Hill School and has worked in more than seven hundred schools across the United States, as well as in international schools in Central America, Europe, Africa and Asia.
is 15 years old and a sophomore at Marina High School in Marina, CA. Her academic interests include math, history, and psychology. She joined the AIM Ideas Lab in 2021 because she wanted to be a part of something that could have a great impact on her community. Marwa is interested in youth mental health because she has always been fascinated with the human mind and she wants to support those that are suffering who may feel like their challenges in life aren’t important enough or are too afraid to seek necessary help.
Giovanna Panetta is a 16 year old junior at Carmel High School. She has always been called to STEM subjects, specifically biology. The AIM Ideas Lab instantly attracted her attention as a research opportunity. Gia has always comprehended the importance of mental health. She knows that COVID only exacerbated previously existing problems, and that as a community we can try and find the root of those problems. Mental health is an integral part of life, and can impede a body’s ability to be healthy. She strongly believes that life is worth living, and she wants to help anyone that thinks otherwise.
Dr. Friedman completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology from University of California San Diego (UCSD). She went on to complete her masters and doctorate degrees (Ph.D.) in Clinical Psychology from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science/Chicago Medical School. Dr. Friedman completed her pre-doctoral internship at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, and her post-doctoral fellowship training at the VA San Diego Healthcare System. Her clinical training and experience has been focused primarily on comprehensive assessment and effective treatments for anxiety, mood and related disorders. Dr. Friedman has extensive experience in providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapies for anxiety disorders (e.g. worry, OCD, social anxiety, phobias and PTSD), depression, adjustment disorders/life stress, insomnia and body-focused repetitive behaviors (e.g. Trichotillomania and skin picking). She has received training in evidence-based interventions for a variety of specific problems, including exposure with response prevention (ERP) for treatment of OCD, Prolonged Exposure (PE) for treatment of PTSD, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). Moreover, she has specialty training in the treatment of childhood anxiety and related disorders, such as ADHD, selective mutism, separation anxiety, PTSD, depression and specific phobias. In addition, Dr. Friedman has developed an expertise in research on Trichotillomania and body-focused repetitive behaviors, which has led to numerous local and national presentations. Dr. Friedman regularly attends local and national conferences, training seminars and workshops in order to stay informed on the most up to date treatments and apply state of the art science into her clinical practice.
Dr. Piacentini is a board-certified clinical child and adolescent psychologist and Professor in the UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. He directs the UCLA Child OCD, Anxiety, and Tic Disorders Clinic and Tourette Association Center of Excellence which provide diagnostic evaluation and treatment (both therapy and medication) for youth with the above problems. He also directs the UCLA Center for Child Anxiety Resilence, Education, and Support (CARES; carescenter.ucla.edu) which provides education and programming to parents, teachers, and clinicians about anxiety prevention and management.
Citlalli Nava is 18 years old and a first year majoring in Psychology at Hartnell Community College in Salinas, CA. She is passionate about understanding how mental health affects how youth think, act, and feel. Citlalli joined the AIM Ideas Lab in 2021 after witnessing the increase in mental health challenges in teenagers and considering the mental health issues they are facing. Citlalli is interested in youth mental health because it is a real problem faced by her generation.
Clinical and community psychologist and health care innovator Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, is CEO of the American Psychological Association, the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States. With more than 146,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants, and students as members, APA promotes and disseminates psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve lives – a mission consistent with Evans’ life work.
