The number one issue American parents have for their children …

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The Modesto Bee and News-Herald reported in 1978 that Thomas Hansen of Boulder, Colorado sued his parents for $350,000 on grounds of “malpractice of parenting.” Mom and Dad had botched his upbringing so badly, he charged in his suit, that he would need years of costly psychiatric treatment.

Things have changed since then. Rather than a young person thinking they might need professional mental health care because of their parents, it’s today’s parents who are very concerned about their children’s mental health.

In fact, according to a report from the Pew Research Center, mental health issues are the number one concern parents today have for their children today, followed by bullying and safety. This concern regarding children and youth mental health skyrocketed during and immediately after the mandatory lockdowns of the recent global pandemic; the COVID-19 era exacerbated existing youth mental health challenges so greatly that it has been declared a crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General who noted addressing youth mental health requires urgent attention and comprehensive support.

Some key points that led to such a declaration are:

    • Depression – Over 1 in 10 youth experience severe depression affecting daily life.
    • Major Depressive Episodes – 16.39 percent of youth (ages 12-17) report at least one major depressive episode in the past year.
    • Severe Major Depression – 11.5 percent of youth (over 2.7 million) suffer from severe major depression.
    • Youth suicide rates – During the COVID-19 pandemic, youth suicide rates rose significantly. Researchers found higher-than-expected suicide deaths among males, preteens aged 5–12 years, young adults aged 18–24 years, non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaskan Native youth, and non-Hispanic Black youth compared to before the pandemic.
    • Young children – Emergency rooms reported a 47 percent increase in suicide and self-injury cases among 5- to 8-year-olds and a staggering 182 percent increase among 9- to 12-year-olds during the pandemic.

Currently, the top five mental health issues affecting children and youth today are:
1. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Approximately 9.8 percent of children (around 6.0 million) have been diagnosed with ADHD.
2.Anxiety. About 9.4 percent of children (approximately 5.8 million) experience anxiety.
3.Behavior problems. Roughly 8.9 percent of children (around 5.5 million) face behavior-related challenges.
4.Depression. Approximately 4.4 percent of children (about 2.7 million) have been diagnosed with depression.
5. Comorbidity. These conditions often co-occur. For instance:

    • Depression is commonly associated with anxiety (73.8%) and behavior problems (47.2%).
    • Anxiety is linked to behavior problems (37.9%) and depression (32.3%).
    • Behavior problems may also coincide with anxiety (36.6%) and depression (20.3%).

With mental health being the top concern parents have for their children, here’s some general guidance that may be helpful to you:

Be aware. Knowing the most common issues like ADHD, anxiety, behavior problems, and depression allows you to recognize potential signs and symptoms.

Educate yourself. Learn about each issue, including its causes, symptoms, and available treatment options. Sources of information available to you include the CDC, National Institute of Mental Health, and mental health professional organizations.

Observe your child. Pay attention to changes in their behavior, mood, sleep patterns, and academic performance. These may indicate underlying mental health struggles.

Open communication. Foster a safe space for your child to express their feelings and concerns. Be a good listener and avoid judgment.

Routine and sleep. Consistent routines and adequate sleep are crucial for children and youth. Lack of sleep can impact mood and behavior.

Limit screen time. Excessive screen time can affect mental health. Balance it with physical activity and face-to-face interactions.

Seek help if needed. Don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist. Early intervention can significantly improve outcomes.

Remember, resources and support are available to help parents navigate their children’s mental health journey.

Scotty