Youth health mental is complex, but many young people can thrive with the right help. Learn more about risk and protective factors for youth mental health.
The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing challenges, as highlighted by troubling new statistics from CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 40% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and some seriously considered suicide. Psychologists are working to address these issues with dynamic research, prevention and innovation.
Risk and protective factors
Throughout their lifetime, youth can experience successes and challenges which are associated with a variety of risk and protective factors. Risk factors are characteristics at the biological, psychological, family or community level that increase one’s likelihood of negative outcomes and protective factors decrease the impact of risk factors.
For example, studies have shown that being surrounded by a supportive network reduces the likelihood of adolescent depression (Masten, 2009). Additionally, a study conducted in Tanzania revealed that orphans are twice as likely to develop psychopathology as their non-orphan peers, which can be attributed to lack of protective factors such as having adult role models and access to mental health services (Ahmad et al., 2015).
We can take action to support youth mental health by advocating for improved policies and increasing access to care. Focus on high-risk groups like racial and ethnic minority youth, foster youth and those in the juvenile justice system. Improve data collection and integration to better understand youth mental health needs, trends and services.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)
Screening for ACEs with evidence-based tools helps social workers identify clients at risk and provide intervention strategies. The higher the ACE score, the more likely someone will have poor health outcomes or engage in high-risk behavior as an adult. These outcomes are associated with toxic stress, which changes brain development and affects how people respond to trauma. Preventing ACEs can lower the likelihood of mental illness, chronic health conditions, and substance misuse.
This study used data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study to explore the relationships between ACEs and adolescent anxiety and depressive symptoms. It also incorporated teenage risk and protective factors to examine how they attenuate the influence of ACEs on adolescent mental health symptoms. The results showed that adolescent risk factors (such as peer bullying, delinquent peers, and low self-control) increased the likelihood of depression and anxiety symptoms, while teenage protective factors (parental attachment, collective efficacy, and school connectedness) reduced the likelihood of these outcomes.
Mental health disorders
Many mental health problems associated with youth include distressing symptoms such as difficulty functioning at school, work, and in family life. These disorders may also lead to suicidal thoughts or actions. They are often more common among marginalized groups, such as youth with disabilities, racial or ethnic minorities, and those who identify as LBGTQ+.
Psychologists are studying the biological, social, and structural contributors to mental illness in young people. They are identifying ways to better prevent mental health challenges and helping young people find the help they need.
Research shows that most mental illnesses have their onset in youth. This is why it’s critical to address risk and protective factors during childhood. It’s also important to be aware of the warning signs of a mental health issue and get treatment right away. This can improve your quality of life and increase your chances of a full recovery. Treatment options include psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and medications.
Treatment
Adolescence can be a time of risky behaviours, but most adolescents with mental health disorders recover with early treatment and a supportive family and social network. Treatment options may include psychotherapy (such as cognitive behavioural therapy), counselling, and/or medication.
Many adolescent-serving systems are working to improve mental health care for young people through efforts such as creating innovative new pathways into the field, integrating screening and treatment into primary care, and using a range of community and peer-based approaches. For example, Youth Mental Health First Aid is a course for parents, caregivers, teachers, and other adults who regularly interact with youth that teaches them how to help a youth in crisis.
Adolescents living in humanitarian and fragile contexts are at greater risk of having a mental health condition and need more targeted strategies to promote their mental health and well-being, including tackling stigma, discrimination, and exclusion. WHO is working on a number of policies, programmes and tools to support these efforts, including adolescent-specific mental health promotion interventions.