Kids have a lot to worry about these days. Pressure to excel in school, increased social media and internet use, less unstructured time to decompress, stress within their families and environment, political unrest, climate change – it’s a lot to cope with.

Although anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems have always affected young people, these issues are becoming an increasingly larger trend.

There are many contributing factors: homelessness, food insecurity and poverty, for example. The pandemic certainly had an effect on the mental health of the majority of kids and teens. Internet use could be causing young people to internalise unrealistic expectations or experience cyberbullying.

Not only do these problems affect the wellbeing of kids and teens, they could even lead to self-harm and suicide. Many young people become withdrawn, struggling socially and academically, which might lead to long-term issues.

Types of mental health issues

There are different mental health disorders that could affect children and teens. Among them:

• anxiety and mood disorders, leading to low self-esteem, self-isolation, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts and more;
• eating disorders, which could cause young people severe physical harm from bingeing, purging, and/or extreme calorie restriction;
• psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
  Signs and symptoms

Young people often don’t seek help with mental health problems simply because they aren’t aware that they need it. In other cases, stigma and embarrassment hold them back.

For this reason, it’s important for adults to be watchful of signs and symptoms in children and teens, including:

• reduced energy;
• less interest in favourite activities;
• problems sleeping or eating;
• fixation on food, calories, and/or exercise and weight loss;
• substance use;
• anger issues;
• isolation or withdrawal from friends and family;
• self-harm;
• sudden changes in academic achievement or normal behaviour.

Risk factors

Some children are at greater risk of developing mental health disorders than others, simply owing to their genetics and circumstances. Children who have experienced trauma or lack safety in their environment are more likely to have issues.

As such, it’s critical to ensure these children have the support and professional treatment they need to maintain good mental health as they grow and develop.

Access to mental health services

For many young people, the biggest obstacle to wellbeing is a lack of access to mental health services, including counselling and medication.

Although telehealth and online resources are making healthcare more widely available, low-income youth need to have the ability to work with these professionals for as long as they need. For those who are uninsured or do not have reliable internet access, even telehealth may be out of reach.

Prevention and early intervention can go a long way towards ensuring all children have the opportunity to work through issues they are experiencing or are likely to experience.

Advocacy and awareness

More research is needed to understand the mental health crisis among young people. However, the stakes are too high to take a “wait and see” approach: kids are in danger, and it’s crucial they have access to mental healthcare for as long as they need it.

Advocacy and awareness are important for a healthier generation. Adults need to know what to look for and how to get help if a child is in need. Kids need to know that they’re not alone, and that it’s okay to ask for help.

Understanding the magnitude of the crisis is the first step. The next is to find solutions that ensure no child has to suffer enough to consider harming themselves or others, and take preventative measures that allow them to lead healthy, fulfilled lives.

Read more articles by Dennis Relojo-Howell here.

Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg and host of ‘The DRH Show’. Connect with him on X (Twitter) at @dennisr_howell.