A new U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on Protecting Youth Mental Health has been created to address the exponential youth mental crisis. The global pandemics’ impact on pre-existing mental health issues has prompted an immediate intervention. The advisory provides recommendations for individuals, families, community organizations, technology companies, governments, and others that can improve the mental health of our children, adolescents, and young adults. The pandemic has substantially impacted youth home/school/community life, access to support, and peers. Before the pandemic, mental health challenges were the leading cause of disability and poor life outcomes in young people ages 3 to 17. From 2009 to 2019, high school students expressing persistent sadness or hopelessness increased by 40%. Early estimates of 2020 present more than 6,600 suicide deaths for 10-24-year-olds. Vulnerable populations such as low-income, LGBTQ+, racial/ethnic minorities, homeless, and juvenile justice or child-welfare youth were most heavily impacted.
Click HERE for the advisories public statements and recommendations on how to protect our future generation.