Surgeon general warns of emerging youth mental health crisis in rare public advisory
Source: Los Angeles Times
CALIFORNIA
Surgeon general warns of emerging youth mental health crisis in rare public advisory
BY HOWARD BLUME, MELISSA GOMEZ
DEC. 7, 2021 4 AM PT
Citing mounting evidence of ongoing harm, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy on Tuesday issued a public health advisory on the mental health challenges confronting youth, a rare warning and call to action to address what he called an emerging crisis exacerbated by pandemic hardships.
Symptoms of depression and anxiety have doubled during the pandemic, with 25% of youth experiencing depressive symptoms and 20% experiencing anxiety symptoms, according to Murthys 53-page advisory. There also appear to be increases in negative emotions or behaviors such as impulsivity and irritability associated with conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.
And, in early 2021, emergency department visits in the United States for suspected suicide attempts were 51% higher for adolescent girls and 4% higher for adolescent boys compared to the same time period in early 2019, according to research cited in the advisory.
It would be a tragedy if we beat back one public health crisis only to allow another to grow in its place, Murthy said in a preface to the advisory. Mental health challenges in children, adolescents, and young adults are real, and they are widespread. But most importantly, they are treatable, and often preventable.
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Read more: https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-12-07/surgeon-general-advisory-youth-mental-health-crisis-looms
MissMillie
(38,450 posts)the fact that the grown-ups can't seem to get together on anything.
The kids are growing up w/o a sense of security.
Hugh_Lebowski
(33,643 posts)And the fact that the 'adults' really aren't doing shit about it ... probably plays at least a bit of a role.
ffr
(22,644 posts)Here's a solution. Turn the damn TV that's blaring inside your comfy home 24/7 and set the radio to music. Problem solved.
BumRushDaShow
(127,255 posts)but are "watching" (streaming) YouTube and TikTok and Instagram videos and all the nonsense that gets generated there.
PatSeg
(46,773 posts)It is more likely their addiction to social media and their smartphones.
BumRushDaShow
(127,255 posts)they stream music with Pandora or whatever subscription channels are out there. Some of my younger nieces and nephews used to stare at the all-in-one compact stereo (or a CD boombox) that would get pulled out at family get-togethers/bbqs like it was something that fell out of a UFO. Had to get some bluetooth speakers so they could stream whatever it was they listened too.
PatSeg
(46,773 posts)it is definitely a culture shock for older generations. So many young people can't even sit through an entire movie. They are so over stimulated and addicted to the instant gratification that comes with "likes" and "shares". I can't even imagine how most of them graduate from high school, as they have no real attention span. It is like some bizarre futuristic dystopia, except it is NOW.
sarisataka
(18,197 posts)Bordering on criminal.
You don't fix anxiety and depression by simply listening to music.
JudyM
(29,122 posts)Clearly some social intervention is needed (and quick further research into causation) the parents arent able to manage their daughters emotional needs during this time.
BumRushDaShow
(127,255 posts)and so much fake and destructive crap that is being circulated.
Cryptoad
(8,254 posts)to eliminate the teaching of any Critical Thinking from our public schools is now bearing its fruit. We are becoming a Nation of Idiots........
sarisataka
(18,197 posts)I still do some part-time work for a funeral home. The main service type I am called for is a young person's suicide.
It is much more than turning off the TV or social media. Kids today are under more and different pressures than those of us who grew up in past decades.
If you have or know of a young person with depression or who has made offhand jokes about their dead- take it seriously. They signs are often subtle and the life you save may be their's.