By Fred Pry for THE STREAM
In recent years, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the suicide rate among 10- to 14-year-old children had nearly tripled in the last decade, while the rate for older teens increased by 76%. With ongoing global challenges and uncertainties, reversing this trend remains a significant challenge.
Among the many challenges children face today is the toll on mental health and, thus, emotional health. Studies continue to examine the psychological impact on children. Kids can experience social isolation, health fears and the uncertainty they observe, realizing their parents don’t always know how to deal with difficult circumstances. All these can easily lead to depression.
Recent studies show that more than one in five Americans lives with a mental illness. When studying the charts, it’s clear that the younger the demographic, the greater the distress.
There’s a lot of good advice out there regarding spending time outside, staying connected with people, being thankful, and managing negative thoughts. However, some advice recommends focusing on things that make you feel strong, things that make you feel in control, and things that make you feel capable. I have to laugh at that, because the minute I start thinking I’m strong or I have control in life, it seems like I get hit by uncontrollable realities.
