Rates for anxiety and depression grew 3 percentage points between 2003 and 2012. By 2019, one in five children ages 3-17 had a reported mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Cause: The growing use of digital media, increasing academic pressure, and limited access to mental health care, rising income inequality, racism, gun violence, and climate change. (Surgeon General’s report)
According to CDC, about 8.7% of children ages 3-17 years old were diagnosed with ADHD at the time of the survey. About 7.8% of this age group had a current anxiety diagnosis, followed by 7% with a behavioral problem diagnosis. Depression affected about 3.4% of surveyed children ages 3-17. (between 2016-2019)
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, mental disorders can contribute to substance use and substance use disorders. About 4% of kids ages 12 to 17 reported having a substance use disorder in the past year according to CDC data collected in 2018-2019.
Takeaway for a parent:
- Control screen time
- Talk to you child about mental health
- Go for nature walks
- Teach your kids to ask for help from their doctor/counselor/elder
- Take away money source to curb addiction
The views expressed in this article should not be considered as a substitute for a physician’s advice. Always make sure to seek a doctor or a professional’s advice before proceeding with the home treatment plan.
