Adolescent mental health - Moving forward after the pandemic | Thorhildur Halldorsdottir | TEDxBasel

Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted teenagers' mental health, with increased rates of depression and anxiety, particularly among girls aged 16 to 18. A clinical child psychologist highlights the importance of addressing these issues, as the teenage years are crucial for future mental well-being. She suggests online therapy and mental health education in schools as effective solutions to support teens and prepare them for future stressors, emphasizing the long-term benefits for individuals and society.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted teenagers' mental health, leading to increased depressive symptoms and anxiety, especially among 16 to 18-year-olds and girls.
• 🏠 Teenagers are experiencing prolonged periods of isolation, unable to socialize in person, which has a profound effect on their mental state.
• 📈 Pre-pandemic, there was already a documented rise in mental health issues among teenagers, and the pandemic has exacerbated this problem.
• 📊 A global study revealed that the rates of clinical depression and anxiety have doubled in the first year of the pandemic, affecting one in four and one in five teenagers, respectively.
• 🤔 The exact reasons for the rise in mental health issues are unclear but could be linked to increased global awareness, online activity, or other lifestyle changes.
• 🛡 Teenage years are critical for mental health development, setting the stage for adult mental health, making it crucial to support their well-being.
• 🌟 Today's teenagers will be tomorrow's leaders, and investing in their healthy development is essential for the future of society.
• 🌱 Despite the pandemic, there is optimism that mental health can be improved through effective treatments and prevention options.
• 💻 Online therapy has been shown to be effective, offering a solution to the scarcity of mental health professionals and overcoming physical barriers.
• 🏫 Education on mental health and resilience through the school system is a powerful prevention measure, as it reaches almost all children.
• 💡 Policymakers are urged to fund resources and infrastructure for these initiatives, as early intervention in mental health issues is cost-effective for individuals and society.

Q & A

How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted teenagers' social lives?

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced teenagers to stay at home with their families for extended periods, limiting their in-person interactions with friends and restricting school to online teaching. This has significantly affected their social lives and mental states.

What is the main focus of the speaker's professional interest?

The speaker is a clinical child psychologist and researcher who focuses on understanding how stress, particularly the stress caused by the pandemic, affects the mental health of teenagers.

What are the specific mental health issues that have increased among teenagers due to the pandemic?

The pandemic has led to a worsening of mental health among teenagers, with a notable increase in depressive symptoms and anxiety, especially among teenagers aged 16 to 18 and girls.

What was the rate of clinical depression and anxiety among teenagers before the pandemic?

Before the pandemic, the rate of clinical depression and anxiety was about one in every 10 teenagers.

How has the rate of clinical depression and anxiety among teenagers changed since the pandemic?

Since the pandemic, the rates have doubled, with one in every four teenagers suffering from clinical depression and one in every five suffering from clinical anxiety.

What factors might be contributing to the rise in mental health problems among teenagers even before the pandemic?

Factors contributing to the rise in mental health problems among teenagers before the pandemic could include increased awareness of global concerns, more online activity, or other changes in their daily lives.

Why are the teenage years considered a sensitive period for mental health?

The teenage years are a sensitive period for mental health because it is when most mental health disorders emerge or have already emerged, and the well-being and experiences during this time set the stage for adult mental health.

How does the speaker suggest we can prepare future generations for stress?

The speaker suggests that we can prepare future generations for stress by implementing effective treatments and prevention options, such as online therapy and mental health education through the school system.

What is the potential benefit of providing mental health education through the school system?

Providing mental health education through the school system is beneficial because it reaches almost all children, helping them understand their mental health and learn ways to promote resilience.

How does the speaker feel about the potential to improve the mental health of teenagers?

The speaker is optimistic that we can turn the situation around, as there are effective treatments and prevention options available that can help improve the mental health of teenagers and prepare them for future stressors.

What is the speaker's call to action for policymakers regarding teenagers' mental health?

The speaker calls on policymakers to fund the resources and infrastructure required for effective initiatives like online therapy and mental health education, emphasizing that preventing or catching mental health problems early pays off for individuals and society.

Outlines

00:00

🌐 Impact of COVID-19 on Teen Mental Health

The speaker, a clinical child psychologist and researcher, discusses the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on teenagers' mental health. The pandemic has forced teenagers to stay at home, depriving them of social interactions and increasing their risk of mental health issues like depression and anxiety. The speaker highlights that the pandemic has exacerbated an already growing trend of mental health problems among teenagers, with rates of clinical depression and anxiety doubling in the first year of the pandemic. The speaker emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues, as the mental health of teenagers sets the stage for their future well-being and the health of society.

05:00

🛡 Preparing for Future Stressors and Solutions

The speaker acknowledges that while the pandemic may be seen as mostly over, it is not the last stressor that teenagers will face. They will continue to encounter global and local stressors, such as climate change, natural disasters, and domestic violence, which can predict mental health problems. Despite the challenges, the speaker expresses optimism about the potential to improve the situation. Effective treatments like online therapy and self-help programs can be implemented to address the increase in mental health issues. The speaker also suggests that preventive measures, such as mental health education in schools, can be powerful tools. The speaker calls for policymakers to fund the necessary resources and infrastructure to support these initiatives, arguing that early intervention in mental health is beneficial for individuals and society as a whole.

Keywords

💡COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic refers to the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus that began in late 2019. In the context of the video, it is the primary stressor affecting teenagers' mental health, leading to increased rates of depression and anxiety. The script discusses the impact of prolonged isolation and fear of illness on teenagers' daily lives and mental states.

💡Mental health

Mental health encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It is the focus of the video, which discusses the deterioration of mental health among teenagers due to the pandemic. The script highlights the increase in depressive symptoms and anxiety, emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues for the well-being of individuals and society.

💡Depression

Depression is a common mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. The script mentions a doubling of clinical depression rates among teenagers during the pandemic, indicating the severity of the mental health crisis among this age group.

💡Anxiety

Anxiety refers to feelings of worry, nervousness, or fear that can be overwhelming and lead to several physical or mental health issues. The video script notes an increase in clinical anxiety among teenagers, suggesting that the pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing mental health concerns.

💡Clinical

In the context of the video, 'clinical' refers to a formal diagnosis of a mental health disorder by a healthcare professional. The script uses the term to differentiate between general feelings of sadness or worry and the more severe, diagnosable conditions of clinical depression and anxiety.

💡Stress

Stress is a natural response to demanding circumstances, but excessive or prolonged stress can negatively impact mental health. The video discusses how the pandemic has introduced new stressors into teenagers' lives, contributing to the rise in mental health issues.

💡Mental health services

Mental health services are professional resources available to individuals experiencing mental health issues, including therapy and counseling. The script suggests that the increased need for these services due to the pandemic highlights the importance of making them more accessible, such as through online platforms.

💡Online therapy

Online therapy is a form of psychological treatment conducted via digital platforms, allowing for greater accessibility. The video script promotes online therapy as an effective solution to the shortage of mental health professionals and the barriers to in-person therapy during the pandemic.

💡Prevention

Prevention in the context of the video refers to measures taken to stop or reduce the occurrence of mental health problems. The script discusses the importance of early intervention and education as preventive measures to build resilience and promote mental well-being among teenagers.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the ability to adapt well in the face of adversity, trauma, or other significant sources of stress. The video emphasizes the importance of fostering resilience in teenagers as a means to mitigate the impact of stressors like the pandemic and prepare them for future challenges.

💡Policy makers

Policy makers are individuals or groups responsible for creating and implementing policies, often within government or organizational contexts. The script calls upon policy makers to fund and support initiatives aimed at improving mental health treatment and prevention for teenagers.

Highlights

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected teenagers' mental health, with increased depressive symptoms and anxiety.

Teenagers aged 16-18, especially girls, are most affected by pandemic-induced stress.

Global study findings show pandemic-induced doubling of clinical depression and anxiety rates among teenagers.

Before the pandemic, one in ten teenagers suffered from clinical depression or anxiety; now it's one in four and one in five respectively.

Mental health problems among teenagers were already increasing before the pandemic, for unclear reasons.

Potential reasons for pre-pandemic mental health increase could be global concerns awareness, increased online activity, or other lifestyle changes.

The pandemic has exacerbated the existing problem of rising mental health issues among teenagers.

Teenage years are a critical period for mental health, setting the stage for adult mental health.

Investing in teenagers' healthy development is crucial for the future of society.

Teenagers will face multiple stressors in the future, including global and local issues, and individual-level traumas.

Online therapy has proven effective for teenagers, overcoming physical and resource barriers.

Education on mental health and resilience through the school system can be a powerful prevention measure.

Policymakers need to fund resources and infrastructure for effective mental health initiatives.

Preventing or catching mental health problems early pays off for individuals and society.

The full experience of a healthy and social adolescence is important for shaping a person's future.

Optimism exists for turning the situation around with effective treatments and prevention options.

Transcripts

Transcriber: Diana Simões Reviewer: Rhonda Jacobs

I want to talk to you

about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected our teenagers.

But first, let’s put things in perspective.

Think back to when you were a teenager.

When I was 16 years old, I lived with my parents and my sisters,

yet I hardly saw them.

My life focused on: hanging out with my friends,

going to parties, and going to school.

I bet, regardless of where you’re from,

many of you share similar experiences during this time,

with life primarily focusing on being with other teenagers.

Now I want you to imagine if you, as a teenager,

were forced to stay at home with your parents and siblings

for months on end.

You’d not be allowed to see your friends in person,

and school, if running, would be limited to online teaching.

And if you leave the house, you could get sick,

and you could be responsible for a loved one becoming sick,

and even dying.

Think about everything you’d miss out on.

Think about what this would do to your teenage mental state.

Well, this scenario is something that our teenagers and their families

have been going through due to the pandemic.

Today, I’m a clinical child psychologist

and a researcher who focuses on how stress affects our mental health.

And recently, I’ve been motivated to understand

how what our teenagers are going through right now

affects their mental health,

and how it might influence the rest of their lives.

So let me tell you what happens.

The mental health of teenagers worsens,

with a particular increase in depressive symptoms and anxiety.

Teenagers between the ages of 16 to 18 years old,

and girls, especially, struggle the most under these conditions.

A recent study that pulled together findings from all over the world

showed that in the first year of the pandemic,

rates of clinical depression and anxiety have doubled.

It used to be about one in every 10 teenagers

who suffered from clinical depression or anxiety.

Since the pandemic,

these rates have risen up to one in every four

suffering from clinical depression

and one in every five suffering from clinical anxiety.

And what’s a troubling yet little known fact is that prior to the pandemic,

mental health problems among teenagers were already on the rise.

This is something that researchers have been documenting

for the past decades.

It’s unclear why this is occurring.

Some potential reasons could be:

increased awareness of the younger generation of the daunting global concerns

that we are faced with.

It could be a byproduct of more online activity,

or some other changes in the daily lives of our teenagers.

But what is clear

is that the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded an existing problem.

So now I want to tell you why we need to be aware

of the mental health of teenagers

and how an increase in mental health problems among teenagers

affects not only those individuals, but also our families, friends,

and society in general.

First, our teenage years are a sensitive period when it comes to our mental health.

This is the time when most mental health disorders emerge or have already emerged,

and our well-being and experiences during our teenage years

then set the stage for adult mental health.

With that in mind,

I want to remind you that today's teenagers are tomorrow's adults.

Today’s teenagers are those that will tomorrow be running our society.

They will be responsible for preventing or fighting our future conflicts,

which are likely to be many.

So it’s absolutely critical that we invest in their healthy development,

because this impacts the future for all of us.

And then secondly,

even though many consider the pandemic to be mostly over,

we need to be realistic that COVID-19 is not the last stress

or traumatic experience that our teenagers will be faced with en masse.

Some stressors will be global, like the pandemic or climate change.

Others will be local, like natural disasters.

War, civil unrest, and others will be at the individual level,

such as living within a household in which domestic violence occurs.

We know that these types of stressors predict mental health problems.

So we need to prepare future generations for stress.

Now, all of this sounds extremely bleak.

But I want to note that as a psychologist, researcher, and mother,

I’m optimistic we can turn this around.

We already have effective treatments and prevention options

that could catch this generation

and prevent further mental health problems among future generations

and prepare them for the next stressor.

For example, research has shown that online therapy is effective

both in the form of one-on-one therapy with a therapist,

as well as online self-help programs.

With an increase in mental health problems,

it’s likely that more teenagers will require mental health services.

And in many places,

professionals specialized in the mental health of children and adolescents

is a scarce commodity

and not readily available to the many in need.

By having therapy online, we can overcome some of the physical and resource barriers

that we will be faced with.

And in terms of prevention measures,

we know that research - or research shows us,

that providing youth with education on their mental health

and ways to promote good mental health and resilience is effective.

And here I believe the school system holds the key.

Providing this type of education through the school system is powerful

because almost all children go to school.

So these are two examples of treatment and prevention measures

that we know are effective and could help us address this problem.

We need to start implementing them now.

So we need to call on our policy makers

to fund the resources and infrastructure

required for these effective initiatives.

And I’m convinced that it will not be a hard sell at all to get them to listen.

And that’s because research has also shown us

that preventing or catching mental health problems early on always pays off,

not just for the individual, but for their family, friends,

and society in general.

So earlier I asked you to think about your teenage years.

Now I want you to think about how much they shaped the person you are today.

For me personally, I met my husband and many of my best friends

during this time.

I also took my first psychology course and started working with community members

suffering from mental health disorders,

which obviously set me on the career track that I’m on.

I know that the full experience of a healthy and social adolescence

mattered to me.

I bet it mattered to you too.

So let’s let the current and future generations of teenagers

have the same positive experience during adolescence

so that they can springboard into a healthy adulthood.

Thank you.

(Applause)