In December 2021 the Surgeon General of the United States released “Protecting Youth Mental Health: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory” on the state of youth mental health in the country. The report details the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health, risk factors contributing to symptoms, and action items and resources for various stakeholders, including the youth themselves, family members and caregivers, educators, health professionals, media and entertainment organizations, technology companies, community organizations, and funders/foundations.
The report concludes:
…everyone has a role to play in combating this mental health pandemic. Without individual engagement, no amount of energy or resources can overcome the biggest barrier to mental health care: the stigma associated with seeking help. For too long, mental and emotional health has been considered, at best, the absence of disease, and at worst, a shame to be hidden and ignored.
If we each start reorienting our priorities to create accessible space in our homes, schools, workplaces, and communities for seeking and giving assistance, we can all start building a culture that normalizes and promotes mental health care.
This is the moment to demand change—with our voices and with our actions.
Only when we do will we be able to protect, strengthen, and support the health and safety of all children, adolescents, and young adults—and ensure everyone has a platform to thrive.
