Mind Matters: What 2024 Mental Health Statistics Mean for Teens

Even with the usage of masks at a minimum, the effects of COVID on mental health are still surging. If you have felt an increase in depression and anxiety, you are not alone. According to KFF, almost 50% of young adults have reported symptoms of anxiety or a depressive disorder, and 36% are females.  With schools being closed and the uptick in gun violence, youth mental health has had a major impact. According to TheZebra, the worst part is, six in ten people with mental illness get no treatment or medication. The average age these symptoms appear is 14 years old, and they usually go undetected and untreated. 

Everyone knows that mental health is an increasing issue in America specifically, but a lot of people are not doing much about it. School and many other aspects can take an extreme toll on a person’s mental health and can cause bad behaviors like neglecting a sleep schedule, overeating or undereating, and isolation. It is more important now than ever to reach out and get help because understanding how to cope with these symptoms can help you in college and later in life as well. Mental health should always be a priority and can help with your overall well-being and have an easier time discovering who you are in the world. Reach out to your school counselor if you have had any unusual emotions or behaviors because it may be an underlying issue you didn’t know about.