Warning labels on social media platforms? The year in pediatric mental health stories
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Experts published a swath of new research this year about the youth mental health crisis in the United States, which U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, has called an emergency.
According to the CDC, nearly one-third of high school students reported having poor mental health, and one in 10 attempted suicide. The risk was higher for racial and gender minoritized students.
Youth expressed concerns about school safety and bullying at school and online. Murthy called for warning labels on social media platforms.
However, recent studies provide insights into better screening and treatment for children and adolescents, and the CDC identified protective factors that decrease students’ risk for suicide. One study reported that for some youth with behavior problems, their mental health improved during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here are Healio’s top stories about youth mental health from 2024.
CDC: Nearly 10% of American high schoolers attempted suicide last year
A recently published CDC study painted a detailed picture of mental health and suicide risk among high schoolers in the United States. Read more.
More teens missing school due to safety concerns since 2013
Youth mental health has improved since 2021, but school safety has become a growing concern among students and an increasing cause for absenteeism, according to the CDC’s most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Read more.
Youth suicide risk rose after FDA warned about antidepressants
FDA black box warnings about antidepressants for pediatric patients — meant to decrease suicidal thoughts and behavior — may have had the opposite effect, according to a systematic review. Read more.
Modified screening improves prediction of suicidal behavior among adolescents
A modified screening with additional questions about suicidal ideation was better at predicting suicide attempts among adolescents than the standard questionnaire, according to findings published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.
Mental health improved among some children during COVID-19 pandemic
Some groups of children appeared to experience improved mental health symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic when compared with pre-pandemic conditions, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. Read more.
Screening tool detects anxiety in half of children going into surgery
A brief, computerized mental health screening for children going into surgery showed that more than half were experiencing preoperative anxiety, according to findings presented at Anesthesiology 2024. Read more.
Surgeon general calls for social media warning labels
The United States surgeon general asked Congress to require warning labels on social media platforms to help protect children. Read more.
Q&A: How to support grieving children
In an updated clinical report, the AAP offered guidance for pediatricians on how to address grief in young patients. Read more.
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