The Rise of Mental Health Issues Among Teens

Recent studies indicate a significant increase in mental health issues among teenagers, particularly starting around 2011. Researchers, including psychologist Jean Twenge, have noted alarming trends in rising rates of depression, anxiety, and loneliness coinciding with the increased use of smartphones and social media. For instance, the percentage of high school students getting less than seven hours of sleep per night surged from roughly a third to nearly half between 2010 and 2021, severely impacting their physical and mental well-being. With sleep recommended at nine hours for this age group, the decrease in adequate rest is a critical factor contributing to the deterioration of youth mental health.