Rising rates of anxiety and depression observed among children and teenagers, according to a recent study
In a recent study conducted by researchers from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, it has been revealed that anxiety rates among children and teens under the age of 18 have risen significantly over the past six years. The study, led by Marie Heffernan, Ph.D., found that anxiety rates increased from 7.1% in 2016 to 10.6% in 2022. Depression rates also saw a similar increase, rising from 3.2% in 2016 to 4.6% in 2022.
The study, which utilised data from the National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) from 2016 through 2022, focused on mental health trends in children and teens. The researchers compared mental health conditions and physical health conditions before, during, and after the pandemic to understand the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on young people's mental health.
Dr. Heffernan stated that the findings highlight the need to prioritise youth mental health. She suggested that parents and schools need more support to help children suffering from anxiety or depression. The increase in anxiety and depression among young people can be attributed primarily to social isolation due to lockdowns and school closures, pandemic-related uncertainty, disrupted routines, and increased family stress.
The study's senior author, Michelle Macy, M.D., M.S., emphasised the need for continued attention and resources at a national level to address the potential causes of worsening anxiety and depression in children and adolescents. She hopes that more work will be done to understand why children's mental health is worsening and what healthcare providers can do to combat this trend.
Additional factors contributing to increased anxiety and depression include increased screen time associated with sedentary behaviour and weight concerns, as well as the general stress, fear, and disruption caused by the pandemic environment itself.
To address this trend, healthcare providers can promote early screening and identification of anxiety and depression, expand access to professional mental health support tailored to children and adolescents, support families to reduce stress and foster protective environments, advocate for policies and programs that address social determinants of health and reduce isolation, and collaborate across sectors to create comprehensive support networks around young people.
Overall, multi-level interventions addressing individual, family, and community factors are essential for mitigating the sustained impact of COVID-19 on youth mental health. It is crucial that we prioritise the mental health of our children and adolescents, ensuring they have the support they need to navigate these challenging times.
- The study researchers emphasized the need for continued resources and attention at a national level to address the causes of worsening anxiety and depression in children and adolescents, noting that this could involve understanding why children's mental health is deteriorating and what healthcare providers can do to combat this trend.
- To effectively address the increase in anxiety and depression among young people, healthcare providers can implement a range of strategies, such as early screening and identification of mental health issues, expanding access to professional mental health support for children and adolescents, promoting healthy habits like physical activity to counteract unhealthy screen time, and collaborating with various sectors to create comprehensive support networks for young people.
