Mental disorders are the leading cause of disability among young people, with up to 20% of children and adolescents in North America experiencing some form of mental disorder. [Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Prevalence of Mental Disorders:
With 70% of mental disorders emerging before the age of 25, the adolescent years present a critical period for promoting mental health and addressing mental health problems. [Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Critical Time for Intervention:
If mental disorders are left untreated they severely impact emotional well-being and social development, leading to social isolation and limited contributions to society. [Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Negative Impact:
Early intervention for mental health problems results in decreased emotional and behavioral issues, functional impairment, and involvement with law enforcement. [Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Decreased Emotional and Behavioral Problems:
Early intervention for mental health problems also leads to improvements in social and behavioral adjustment, learning outcomes, and overall performance. [Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Improved Learning and Performance:
Mental health problems in youth are associated with an increased risk of drug use, violence, and high-risk sexual behaviors that lead to HIV, STDs, and unintended pregnancy. [Source: cdc.gov]
Co-occurring Risks:
Adolescence is a critical period for establishing health behaviors that persist into adulthood. Promoting good mental health in youth is essential for overall health and well-being throughout life. [Source: cdc.gov]
Establishing Healthy Habits:
Prevention strategies such as building connections with family and school help to promote mental health and prevent a range of negative experiences like drug use and violence. [Source: cdc.gov]
Prevention strategies for mental health:
Mental health promotion in youth should be based on validated, scientifically sound research.[Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Mental health promotion:
Increased investment is needed in the identification of early-onset mental disorders and effective early intervention programs to deliver appropriate care to young people. [Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Early-Onset Mental Disorders: