Is there really a mental health crisis?
The first sign that something was wrong started around 2012. Health professionals and parents began noticing that teenagers seemed more withdrawn and moody. In fact, in the years between 2010-2015 the number of American teenagers who reported feeling useless and joyless increased by 33%.
And the numbers just kept getting worse. Between 2009 to 2017, major depression surged 69% among 16- to 17-year-olds.
Was it just that the stigma around mental health issues had finally begun to lift or was something more insidious going on?
Suicide rates began to skyrocket.
It wasn’t just that more teenagers were talking about mental health, more of them were suffering. Between 2010-2015, the suicide rate for adolescents jumped by 31 percent. By 2017, suicide ranked as the number 2 cause of death for people between the ages of 15-24, trailing only slightly behind vehicular accidents.
But, while suicide rates were soaring for teenagers, they remained relatively stable for adults aged ages 26 and over.
Something was hurting our kids and no one knew exactly what it was.
Had the world just gotten more stressful?
Has the world gotten more difficult? Did teenagers feel more pressure? Were their lives more difficult than their parents’?
Mental health is a complicated and mutli-faceted issue. While it’s impossible to say for sure what was causing this surge of depression, a few things could most likely be ruled out.
It probably wasn’t the economy. When the rate of mental health issues were rising the most (between 2011-2017), the unemployment rate was dropping. Substance abuse and academic pressure also don’t seem to have been huge factors. The opioid crisis primarily hit adults over age 25 and teenagers today actually spend less time on homework than teenagers in the 1990’s.
But a big change DID happen in 2012.
In late 2012, right when teen depression and suicide began to surge, another number was also climbing.. the number of kids using smartphones. By 2015, 73 percent of teens had access to a smartphone.
Isn’t it too simplistic to blame all of our kids’ mental health problems on one device?
It isn’t that owning a smartphone is a problem, it’s what kids give up when they get one that causes issues. Being active, face-to-face interactions, and sleep are all things that tend to suffer as phone use goes up. All of which are necessary for good mental health. In fact, a recent study showed that teens who spend five or more hours a day online were 71 percent more likely to have at least one suicide risk factor than those who spent only one hour a day online.
So, now what?
Now that we have a good idea of what is impacting our kids’ mental health, is there anything we can do about it?
Most of us have gotten so reliant on smartphones, it’s unlikely that we’d be willing to give them up completely. But, there are some concrete things we can do to make our kids less at risk for mental health issues.
Wait!
While you may not be able to hold off forever, just waiting a few years to buy your child a phone can make a huge difference. Children who get phones at a young age, often miss out on the active, creative play that is crucial in childhood. Also, being exposed to the sexuality and bullying that is rampant on social media can make it difficult for kids to develop a healthy sense of self, which can lead to depression. Just waiting a few years until teenagers are more mature and responsible makes a notable difference in the negative effects of phone use.
Meditation
One of the problems with smartphones is that they keep your brain constantly flooded with information. Taking a break from all of that noise can be helpful in keeping depression at bay. In fact, meditation has been found to change certain brain regions that are specifically linked with depression. Even just taking a few moments a day to close your eyes and focus on your breathing can be useful. There are resources both online and in the real world to help you and your kids learn to incorporate meditation into your day.
Mindfulness
Beyond meditation, just the simple act of paying attention to one's experience in the present moment has been shown to decrease depression. Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, or MBCT is a way of using Yoga, body, and sensory awareness to help treat depression. It has shown promising results, with no harmful side effects.
Face-To-Face Interactions
One of the most damaging effects of smartphones for teenagers is that it keeps them from the face-to-face gatherings that are essential for social growth. While kids may feel that online socializing is enough, the research tells a different story. In fact, a recent study found that having limited face-to-face social contact nearly doubles someone's risk of having depression. Encourage your kids to have friends over, go to afterschool events, or even just take a walk in the neighborhood. Sometimes something as simple as a friendly smile can change the trajectory of their day.
Nature
A growing scientific field called ecotherapy has shown a strong connection between time spent in nature and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. Studies have shown that, not only can time in nature boost your mood, but the sounds and smells of nature can lower blood pressure and levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which calms the body's fight-or-flight response. Making hikes or nature walks a normal part of your family’s routine can give your kids a life-long tool to improve their mental health.
Healthy Socialization
One of the best things you can do for your children’s mental health is to provide them with opportunities for healthy socialization. Look for educational and after-school programs that are staffed with professionals who prioritize mental health. Immersing children in environments that incorporate mindfulness, ecotherapy, and healthy socializing will help give them the best possible foundation for a lifetime of strong mental health.