Just a few days ago, the
PEW Research Center released a study on youth mental health in the United States. The findings show that anxiety and depression are on the rise, and that seven out of ten American adolescents see mental health as a major problem either personally or among their peers. Canadian statistics are similar: According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, an estimated 1.2 million children and youth in Canada are affected by mental illness (see UNICEF Canada below). Global findings from
OECD and
WHO are also far from positive.
The youth mental health resources in this issue are grouped into two sections. Part 1 is designed to help you orient yourself in the existing research. Part 2 offers resources on how teachers, youth workers, parents, mentors, or other caring adults can support youth well-being and positive development. I hope you find these materials helpful.
- Konrad