In the past year, an alarming one in five American teens have seriously considered suicide.
Today’s young people are navigating challenges unseen by previous generations, from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic to the pressures and insecurities fueled by social media. Alarmingly, suicide is now the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports that nearly half of teens facing mental health issues lack access to services, amplifying their risk. But these challenges are not restricted to young people. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recent data shows that the United States is in the midst of a mental health crisis, affecting people of all ages.
“We all thrive when we are nourishing our bodies with high-quality food, getting restorative sleep, engaging in meaningful social relationships, connecting with nature and feeling part of something bigger than just ourselves,” said Ashley Gearhardt, professor of psychology and chair of the clinical science area at the University of Michigan. “Yet, we all feel time-poor and pulled in a million directions. We are inundated with social media, junk food and news headlines that keep us up at night. This is a recipe for the happiness drought that we are in.”
Read the full article on Michigan Research.
