We Accept Insurance
For the average U.S. parent, the last 18 months have probably been a stressful and worrying time. The arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic not only brought the airborne virus itself but, eventually, it also came with a whole host of socially-distanced restrictions and other knock-on effects for every single member of the American population.
Living with the coronavirus has now become the “new normal” for everyone the world over. In fact, the knock-on effects of the pandemic are sadly still with us, and will probably be for years, even decades to come.
One of those most important and impactful effects of the ongoing pandemic is the U.S.’ worsening mental health, which many medical experts believe will be the next national public health crisis the country has to face up to – if it’s not already here right now.
Just like substance addiction and mental health disorders, the wide-ranging effects of the pandemic hit members of the population indiscreetly and quite randomly, from the rich to the poor, from the Fortune 500 CEO to the local high school janitor, and from the very senior citizen to the innocent youngster.
This article looks at the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nation’s mental health, how teenagers became innocent victims of the pandemic’s wide-ranging knock-on effects, and the 10 most important things every parent should know about their teenager’s mental health.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on U.S. Mental Health
Anxiety, stress and depression have affected the U.S. population like never before during the last 18 or so months.
As reported by the World Health Organization (WHO International), negative personal life-changing events, such as family bereavement, social isolation, loss of employment income, and basic fear are either triggering new mental health disorders and behavioral issues or they are exacerbating existing ones.
As more and more people experience anxiety and worry (and the resulting random bouts of insomnia), the temptation to “self-medicate” their issues away with addictive substances comes to the fore, and research studies and online alcohol sales have shown a marked increase in both drug and alcohol use during this time.
And then, let’s not forget, there’s the health implications of the virus itself.
COVID-19 can lead to a number of neurological and mental health complications, and the causes of so-called “Long Covid” have still to be fully uncovered. Those people with pre-existing mental, neurological or substance use disorders – the “at risk” – are also more vulnerable to coronavirus infection.
It has now been proven beyond doubt that these demographics stand a far higher risk of severe outcomes from COVID-19 infection, and unfortunately, even death.
U.S. Adult Mental Health: Facts & Stats
According to the latest version of “The State of Mental Health in America,” published by Mental Health America (MHA), one of the U.S.’ leading community-based nonprofit organizations, the coronavirus pandemic will have only compounded an already bad situation – and a growing national public health crisis.
- The research data in 2019 – just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic – showed that 19.86% of adults experienced a mental illness, equivalent to nearly 1 in 5 adults (or close to 50 million Americans)
- Suicidal ideation – thoughts of suicide – continues to increase among adults in the U.S., with 4.58% of adults report having serious thoughts of suicide.
- Over half of adults with a mental illness receive no treatment at all. That’s over 27 million adults in the U.S. without any specialist medical assistance.
- The percentage of adults with a mental illness who reported being in need of treatment has increased every year since 2011. In 2019, 24.7% of adults with a mental illness had their treatment needs unmet.
As more recent statistics clearly demonstrate, the mental health of the general population is struggling to cope.
Recent data from the Household Pulse Survey, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, shows mental health issues increased significantly with the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 36.5% of U.S. adults in June, 2020 reporting symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder – this is up from just 11.0% in 2019.
Whichever way you look at it, it’s a national public health crisis just waiting to happen.
Here’s why:
According to a report published by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – the “Behavioral Health Workforce Report” – to offer full access to evidence-based mental health care in the U.S. for all those who currently need it would require training 4,486,865 new mental health professionals.
The stark reality is this: It’s an absolute impossibility to meet the growing mental health needs of the population of the U.S. with our current mental healthcare system.
What About Youth Mental Health in the U.S.?
Obviously, the mental health of children and teenagers is not immune to what is happening around them, and exactly the same symptoms of anxiety, depression and high levels of stress are consistently being seen through research data.
Here are the latest confirmed statistics, again from the publication “The State of Mental Health in America”:
- An ever-increasing number of youth in the U.S. live with major depressive disorder (often abbreviated to MDD). 15.08% of youth experienced a major depressive episode during 2019, a 1.24% increase from previous year. In the worst-ranked states, around 19% of teenagers (aged 12-17) experienced major depression – nearly 1 in 5.
- Over 2.5 million youth in the U.S. have severe depression, and multiracial youth are at the greatest risk. 10.6% of youth in the U.S. have severe major depression (depression that negatively affects even their everyday functioning). The rate of severe depression was highest among youth who identified as more than one race – at 14.5% (that’s more than 1 in 7 multiracial youth).
- In our so-called civilized society, over 60% of youth with major depression do not receive any mental health treatment whatsoever. Even within U.S. states with the greatest access rates for specialist treatment, nearly 1 in 3 are going without treatment.
Substance Abuse in the U.S.: The Impact of Worsening Mental Health
As we have described previously, the signs and symptoms of high-functioning depression (PDD) are similar to those caused by major depressive disorder (MDD), but are less severe.
Of course, there’s a clear impact, too, in the rates of substance use and abuse as people with an untreated mental health disorder attempt to “self-medicate” their symptoms.
Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rates of substance use were increasing for both youth and adults, and the virus has simply speeded up the ensuing increases.
According to the U.S. National Survey of Drug Use & Health, 2020, published by the SAMHSA:
Alcohol Use & Abuse
- In 2020, among the 138.5 million people who were current alcohol users:
- 61.6 million people (or 44.4%) were classified as binge drinkers, and
- 17.7 million people (or 28.8% of current binge drinkers and 12.8% of current alcohol use) were classified as heavy drinkers
- The percentage of past month binge drinkers was highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (31.4%)
Illicit Drug Use & Abuse
- In 2020, 21.4% of people aged 12 or older (or 59.3 million people) used illicit drugs in the past year, including 17.9% (or 49.6 million people) who used marijuana
- The percentage of people who used marijuana in the past year was, unsurprisingly, highest among young adults aged 18 to 25 (or 34.5%)
- Among people aged 12 or older in 2020, 3.4% (or nearly 9.5 million people) misused opioids in the past year. Among these:
- 9.3 million people misused prescription opioid-based pain relievers, and
- 902,000 people used heroin
Teenagers: Innocent Victims of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly created a “new normal” for simple, everyday life. However, the changes in our way of living seen during the past 18 months have been extremely detrimental to our youngest members of society – children and teenagers.
In other words, and through no fault of their own, those who are less equipped to handle massive fundamental changes to their lives.
In this respect, they are the most innocent of victims.
During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. youth have had to contend with a number of significant changes: for example, social distancing, online schooling, a ban on team sports, and possible problems with their home life, such as a family member dying of the virus, or a parent being furloughed or losing their job.
For someone just entering the most significant period in their lives – adolescence – all of these, as well as other unwritten fundamental changes, have the potential to impact their lives – and their mental health dramatically.
Once again, the scientific research data, the proof, is here, too. Additionally, in December of last year, the U.S. Surgeon General, in a rare step, issued an “Advisory on Youth Mental Health Crisis Further Exposed by COVID-19 Pandemic.”
“Mental health challenges in children, adolescents, and young adults are real and widespread. Even before the pandemic, an alarming number of young people struggled with feelings of helplessness, depression, and thoughts of suicide – and rates have increased over the past decade.
“The COVID-19 pandemic further altered their experiences at home, school, and in the community, and the effect on their mental health has been devastating.”
– U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy (December 7, 2021)
Teenagers often find it extremely difficult to express their feelings fully. Many, instead, choose to suffer in silence.
They may not know that the feelings they are having are abnormal or that there are things that can help them.
Additionally, teenagers struggling with common mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression, are not always obvious, either. To all appearances, and especially to their parents or guardians, they may be making their usual grades, being considerate and respectful at home, and continuing to be able to maintain their friendships.
However, as these feelings of anxiety or depression may be new to them, they may even just think they’re a normal part of growing up.
To compound the problem, many parents will have seen clear signs such as personality changes or sudden shifts in mood, a change in sleeping habits, or even their teen’s diet, and simply put it down to adapting to a new routine.
For some, this may well be the case. However, for others, these can be clear signs that they are struggling with how they are feeling and with what’s happening around them. It can also be a sign of substance use and abuse.
Teen Mental Health: 10 Essential Things Parents Should Know
Parents, guardians, and caregivers all over the U.S. have been struggling on a number of fronts during the coronavirus pandemic – with their own mental health, their continuing financial needs, and the well-being and schooling of their children.
For many parents, the concern over their teenage children is enough to cause anxiety and stress at the best of times. It’s perfectly understandable with the ongoing pandemic and abrupt and unforeseen stoppages in their children’s academic lives.
However, how many U.S. adults with kids are being proactive about their teen’s mental health and well-being? The answer, unfortunately, is not enough.
The following short guide for parents, guardians, and caregivers – 10 Essential Things Parents Should Know – is designed with the simple intention of offering practical and helpful advice to adults who are constantly wondering or concerned about their teenage children’s mental health.
As any parent knows, kids do not come along with a step-by-step “User Manual” or even a generic “To-Do list.” As many moms and dads know only too well, the first rule of parenting is there are no rules.
10 Essential Things Parents Should Know About Teen Mental Health
1. Focus on Your Relationship with Your Teen
Like many families in the U.S., your family may be going through a stressful time. As a parent striving to do their best, you may feel like you are the glue holding it all together, from organizing their school and activities to preparing the family meal in the evening.
The answer to this added stress? Focus solely on your relationship with your teen, their well-being, and your close connection with them. Forget the rest – nothing is more important than the well-being of your children.
2. Do Your Best – You Can’t Do More
Don’t set unrealistic goals for your teen or yourself. Always try to do your best, that’s a given for any parent, but don’t beat yourself up if things don’t go exactly to plan. Concentrate on quality time together, and forget about being the best parent at your kid’s high school.
3. Don’t Compare Your Family to Others
Every family has had to make changes during the pandemic, but those changes are unlikely to be identical. So don’t even compare how your family is doing next to the families of your teenager’s friends, for example. They’re fundamentally different to begin with.
4. Focus on Being The Parent You’d Like To Be
Social media and other online media – news channels, for one – are full of the latest cutting-edge ideas on “pandemic parenting” (reading this is not included, by the way).
Forget about all of that and simply focus on being the parent you would like to be. For one, concentrate on being the parent of a happy and content child, and most everything else will fall into place.
5. Feeling Stressed? Press “Pause”
Parents feeling stressed and anxious at any point should certainly take this next step – press “Pause.” Take a breath, walk away from a troubling situation, and regain control. The last thing you want is to take your own frustrations out on your child.
An intense or hostile reaction will never help. It could, however, damage your relationship with your child. Sometimes the best reaction is no reaction at all.
6. Learn from Others
Every U.S. state sponsors a Family-Run Organization to provide educational advocacy for youth with mental or behavioral health struggles, and they have special tools, workshops, and conferences to share with parents and caregivers on mental and behavioral health in children and teens.
7. Practice Self-Care Regularly
Self-care is all about finding small opportunities to sustain yourself each and every day – especially if you’re a parent. Additionally, you’ll provide an excellent example for your teen on practicing self-care.
Lastly, limit your own screen time. Endlessly scrolling social media and the news channels is not self-care.
8. Get the Help of a Friend
If you’re overwhelmed, why not ask a friend to help you? It can be a sibling of yours, another family member, e.g., a grandparent, a close friend, or another parent. There is no shame in asking for a little assistance occasionally.
9. Get Your Own Mental Health Support
If your own mental health is concerning you, then seek mental health support for yourself. For example, now in the U.S., online mental health services and telehealth services have created more access and opportunities to get help. Speak to your primary care doctor.
10. Teenage Wellbeing Signs to Watch Out For
1. An abrupt change in the overall mood of your child is not a common occurrence, especially if the mood persists
2. Your child takes a break from their normal friendships
3. They are no longer interested in their favorite sports or activities
4. Your child’s sleeping habits change, such as having a hard time falling or staying asleep or sleeping much more than usual
5. Changes in weight or appetite
6. Difficulty remembering things or concentrating for long periods
7. Changes in appearance, like a lack of hygiene or not caring about how they look
8. Abnormal behaviors, such as using drugs or alcohol
9. Thoughts about death or suicide (known as suicidal ideation) or talking about hurting themselves
These are warning signs related to your teen’s well-being. Just because they are not apparent in your own child doesn’t mean everything is fine.
Always try to keep your lines of communication fully open. Remember, the best way to know how your child feels is to ask them simply.
Modern Recovery Services: Online Adolescent Therapy Programs
Whether your teen has come to you asking for therapy or if you are concerned and would like an outside perspective, Modern Recovery is here to help you right now.
Our “Online Adolescent Therapy Programs” feature:
- Personalized Treatment Approach
- Group, Family, and Individual Therapy Sessions
- Intensive outpatient programming utilizing an evidence-based curriculum
- Personal Coaches Matched to Specific Situations or Conditions
- Behavioral and Mental Health Visits Online with a Licensed Therapist
Online adolescent therapy at Modern Recovery Services is available for all those looking for an affordable, safe, and professional teletherapy option for their child.
Contact us today for more information, to ask any questions, or to get started.
Author: Modern Recovery Editorial Team
NOVEMBER 28, 2023