Florida

Study showed an increase in the number of children aged 5–19 struggling with mental health issues

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Mental illnesses have become a major issue in our society and are among the most common health conditions in the United States. It is important to understand how it affects us in order to prevent it from becoming a problem. Mental illness can be caused by many different factors, including genetics, environment, and life events.

The most common mental illnesses are depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental illness can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender.

Both mental and physical health are essential to an individual’s overall health. For instance, depression increases the chance for many different types of physical health issues, especially chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 50% of adults will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder at some point in their lifetime. But what is more concerning is that more and more children are dealing with mental health issues, and an increase in the number of children seeking psychological services has been recorded. A recent study showed that visits to emergency departments for mental illness, anxiety, and depression among children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 rose between 2016 and 2021.

Psychiatrists in Orange County also reported an increased demand for their services, noting that most of their patients under the age of 19 are struggling with anxiety. According to them, the most important step for parents is to act quickly, such as by having a conversation with their kids to reassure them that they always have someone to speak to if needed and also by spending quality time with their children.

Jordan Collins

Jordan is an experienced editor with years in the journalism and reporting industry. He loves talking with the community about the problems local residents face and state politics. You can find him in the gym almost every day or see him jogging.

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