The surge in COVID cases in 2020 led to a decrease in pediatric emergency room visits, likely due to people avoiding hospitals. However, there was a notable increase in teenagers visiting the ER for issues like suicide attempts, suicidal thoughts, and self-harm. Studies have shown a significant rise in suicide rates, ER visits, addictions, anxiety, and depressive disorders, with a Gallup poll revealing a 29% likelihood of adults being diagnosed with depression in their lifetime. The rates were higher in individuals aged 18 to 44, and women had a higher lifetime diagnosis rate compared to men. The increase in empirical events like ER visits and suicide attempts indicates a clear rise in mental health issues, despite the increased awareness and discussions around mental health, there still exists a gap between talking about mental health and receiving effective treatment.
Some therapists are turning to TikTok as a way to make more money and avoid burnout, but is a nightly scroll through therapy content enough to help solve our mental health crisis?
This episode was produced by Denise Guerra, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Patrick Boyd and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Jonquilyn Hill.
Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast
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