Mental Illness is the most widespread disease of our generation, affecting both adolescents and adults
Did you realize that an estimated 49.5% of adolescents in the United States had at least one form of mental illness. Of these, 22.2% had severe impairment, or a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder which substantially interferes with or limits one or more major life activities. 17–18-year-olds had the highest lifetime prevalence of any mental disorder, followed by 15–16-year-olds.
Of US adults aged 18 or older, 52.9 million had at least one kind of mental illness. This is a staggering 21.0% of all US adults. In 2020, of this group, 24.3 million (46.2%) received mental health services in the past year. Young adults aged between 18 – 25 years had the highest prevalence of mental illness at 30.6%.
17% of the US Adolescent population has had at least one major episode of Depression
An estimated 4.1 million US adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, or 17% of the US adolescent population, had at least one major depressive episode. Adolescent females had a higher episode rate at 25.2% compared to males at 9.2%. Age wise, the episode rate increased progressively from 11.2% for 12 – 13-year-olds to 18.2% for 14–15-year-olds, and 21.9% for 16–17-year-olds.
An estimated 2.9 million adolescents aged 12 to 17 years in the United States had a major depressive episode with severe impairment in the past year, as of 2020, which is 12.0% of the US population aged 12 – 17 years.
Teenagers are more likely to confide in and seek support from a friend rather than a teacher or parent
Teenagers are more likely to confide in their friends and peers first about such issues, before parents, teachers or other adults. All of us need to be better informed and aware of such issues, and know how to handle these situations and support each other.
Are we prepared as teenagers for the challenge of mental health for ourselves and our peers?
