Joy Emeh
Updated on: October 10, 2024 1:24 pm GMT
Adolescent Mental Health Declines: Disturbing Trends Among Girls
According to a recent survey conducted by Statistics Canada, the mental health of adolescents has significantly worsened over the past four years, particularly among girls. The updated findings from the 2023 Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth reveal that the proportion of young individuals rating their mental health as “fair” or “poor” doubled from 2019 to 2023, highlighting a crisis that demands urgent attention.
Survey Results and Key Findings
The survey, which followed up on responses from 2019, asked youths aged 12 to 21 to evaluate their mental health. In 2019, only 12% of participants aged 12 to 17 reported their mental health as “fair” or “poor.” However, by 2023, when this group had aged to 16 to 21, that number surged to 26%. The results for adolescent girls were particularly concerning. In 2019, just 16% of girls rated their mental health poorly. This figure jumped to 33% in the follow-up survey. Comparatively, boys in the same age group increased from 7% to 19% during the same period.
Executive Insight from Kids Help Phone
Alisa Simon, the executive vice president of Kids Help Phone, indicated that these statistics do not come as a surprise given the historical trends seen over the last several years. Kids Help Phone has provided mental health support through various means, including texting and telephone help, and noted a dramatic rise in demand. “Last year, we had the highest number of connections in our organization’s history,” Simon stated. “Young people are reaching out for support in unprecedented numbers.” The increase in conversations surrounding topics like suicide, self-harm, and isolation underscores the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental well-being.
The Pandemic’s Lasting Impact
Simon attributes some of the negative mental health trends to the extended isolation and disconnection that many young people experienced during the pandemic. The loss of connections and social skills as a result of the pandemic, coupled with increased time spent online, has certainly contributed to feelings of disconnect,” she explained.
What Parents Should Know
A significant gap exists between parental perceptions of children’s mental health and the realities reported by the youth themselves. In 2019, a parent survey indicated that only 8% of youths aged 15 to 17 were assessed as having “poor” or “fair” mental health. This was in stark contrast to the 17% of youths who self-reported their mental health as “fair” or “poor.” Simon emphasized the importance of keeping lines of communication open between parents and their children, encouraging families to maintain discussions regarding mental health.
Increasing Awareness of Mental Health Issues
Despite the troubling trends, Simon also sees hope in the growing willingness among young individuals to seek help. “Young people reaching out to us is both an alarm bell about what’s happening in their lives and a moment of hope that they feel empowered to ask for assistance,” she said. She further noted that mental health challenges often affect entire families; a sentiment supported by a report from the U.S. Surgeon General, which indicated high levels of parental stress, with 41% of parents feeling overwhelmed.
Building a Safe Space for Conversations
To foster an environment conducive to discussing mental health, Simon urges parents to actively engage their children in conversations and to pay attention to behavioral changes that may signal distress. “While we can’t force our kids to talk, we must create a safe space for them to express themselves,” she said.
Recent Related Trends: The Growing Need for Support
As youth mental health continues to decline, organizations focused on mental health are seeing increased traffic. In just the past year, Kids Help Phone reported an 82% surge in discussions about self-harm among young individuals. This alarming increase reinforces the need for dedicated efforts in mental health education and awareness throughout Canada.
Community Initiatives and Resources
In response to these growing concerns, various community initiatives are launching to provide better support for youth mental health. Schools are emphasizing mental health education, and local mental health organizations are enhancing access to resources. It’s essential for parents to stay informed about local support options, which can include:
- School counseling services
- Local mental health workshops
- Community support groups
- Online resources like Kids Help Phone
Concluding Thoughts on Youth Mental Health
The deteriorating mental health landscape for adolescents, particularly among girls, raises critical concerns that warrant immediate action. It is vital for parents, educational institutions, and mental health organizations to collaborate in creating supportive environments for young people. Healthy communication and readily available resources can contribute to reversing these troubling trends in youth mental health.
As we go ahead, it’s really important to keep talking about mental health. We want young people to feel brave enough to ask for help and for families to know how to support them. Kids Help Phone is there for anyone who needs it. They offer help through phone calls, online chats, and texting, so young people can get the support they need right away.
