Healthline: U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy: How to Address the Youth Mental Health Crisis
"Children are the future — but they need our help now.
The United States is experiencing a youth mental health crisis that is more than a decade in the makingTrusted Source, and COVID-19 has exacerbated issues that had been looming in the shadows.
Even before the pandemic, marginalized groups were presented with social and economic challenges that disproportionately affected their mental well-being.
Q&A with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, MD, on Youth Mental Health
Many mental health conditions are treatable when diagnosed early. Yet a large national study from 2019
Trusted Source shows that nearly half of children with mental health disorders don’t receive appropriate care due to barriers, disparities, and a lack of policies that prioritize well-being.
Vice Admiral Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, the 21st surgeon general of the United States and father of two young children, is advocating for the mental health of our nation’s young people.
What are some of the biggest immediate and long-term risk factors for youth mental health and well-being?
Dr. Murthy: I’m worried that we don’t always see the impact that COVID is having on the mental health of our kids — it can be difficult to measure. Kids don’t always come out and tell us they’re having a hard time and may not always realize it themselves.
Then there’s the physical health impact, as we’re still learning more about long COVID, and the impact on both kids and adults. Our children do much better with COVID overall, but some of our kids have struggled with long COVID.
Many kids have had their lives disrupted and many have lost friendships or fallen behind in school. These are all elements of the broader impact of COVID we have to consider.
I’m worried about the learning loss that kids have experienced and I’m concerned about kids’ physical health and their mental health in terms of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.
What challenges do kids from marginalized groups and communities face and what can be done to address them?
Dr. Murthy: Racial and ethnic minorities, immigrant families, and LGBTQ children were struggling the most before the pandemic, and they’re also the ones who’ve been hardest hit.
Many marginalized communities face critical roadblocks when it comes to accessing physical and mental health care. Many have experienced language barriers, racism, and discrimination in treatment settings, and are also contending with a distrust of the healthcare system due to historic bad experiences.
We’ve got to measure our progress and hold ourselves accountable, not just with an eye toward increasing treatment and prevention but making sure these resources actually get to the communities that have been hardest hit.
What can be done to support student and teacher well-being at schools?
Dr. Murthy: Just recently, I was at an elementary school and the teachers were telling me how they’re seeing a significant increase in anxiety and depression
We have to bring mental health resources to educational settings and to communities where people are often disconnected from the healthcare system. This is where school counselors are so important; why high quality virtual care is so important.
We’ve got to provide teachers with the right kind of training and support so they know how to recognize when kids are struggling, but also have people and resources they can direct those children to. If we place the entire burden for addressing mental health concerns on teachers I don’t think that’s fair to them and I don’t think that will lead to the most optimal outcome.
We have to find ways to support parents as well. Our kids spend a lot of time in school, but they also spend a lot of time at home. Both environments matter to their mental health and well-being.
Decreased physical activity during the pandemic is associated with increased depression, anxiety, and screen time. How important are diet and exercise for mental health?
Dr. Murthy: Our mental health and our physical health are closely connected. Exercise and diet are an important part of any plan to support and sustain one’s mental well-being.
Regular exercise has wide-ranging health benefits. Even short bursts of physical activity, like going for a walk or taking the stairs, can improve your energy and mood. We know that diet can improve our mood as well because what we eat has an impact on how we feel.
What else can parents and caregivers do at home to normalize the discussion about mental health with their kids?
Dr. Murthy: I think that parents are one of the most powerful influences on our kids when it comes to mental health. So just starting that conversation with your kids about their mental health is so important. It will mean something to them to know you were there to support them.
And finally, to all the parents out there, remember to take care of yourselves during this process as well. Your kids will be their best if you’re in a good place, and you’ll be better able to care for them. Take time to look after your own needs and engage in activities that ground you and bring you joy because your well-being matters.
According to research from 2022Trusted Source, changes to policy and investments in programming and care could help improve the mental health and well-being of children and their families. Other researchTrusted Source shows that early intervention is key to better mental health outcomes.
These are promising developments, but as Dr. Murthy said, healing can also begin right at home.
“Love can last a lifetime,” Dr. Murthy said. “We just have to make sure that our kids know that we feel that for them — and that our love is unconditional.”
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#MentalHealth #Youth #MentalHealthCrisis
@comfortableNight4463 This was a really interesting article! There are so many aspects that affect children's mental health. As Dr. Murthy said, parents that support their children is probably the most important aspect in making sure children know that are cared for. Encouraging our kids to take care of themselves is important too! Thank you for sharing! :)
@fruityPond7887 I agree. Kids need support and it's important to prioritize it.
@comfortableNight4463 Very important! Making sure they are cared for and supported early on is essential for their success for the rest of their lives.
@fruityPond7887 Exactly!
@comfortableNight4463
There used to be a common belief that kids can't go through mental issues or disorders because they aren't developed enough or they don't have the capacity to feel emotion like that. This assumption is dangerous and it has led to a general disregard for children's mental health issues.
@sunnyWriting4806 I completely agree. Children don't have the capacity for emotional regulation so it's important to be there for them and provide resources when needed.