2023 Youth Mental Health Report

Kids in Crisis


2023 Youth Mental Health Report

New data continues to reveal the mental health toll on youth from COVID-19, social media, mass violence, and the many other challenges kids face every day. While the phrase “mental health crisis” can be alarming for parents, the goal of this report is to shed light on this growing problem, help parents know how they can help their kids and understand what support is available for your family.

See the Report
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Tips & Tools for Parents & Caregivers

One of the best things parents can do is know the warning signs their kids may need help, and then intervene as early as possible.

Warning Signs

  • Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
  • Changes in mood, including outbursts or extreme irritability
  • Persistent sadness
  • Losing interest in or withdrawing from activities they normally enjoy
  • Starting or increasing substance use
  • Hurting oneself or talking about hurting oneself
  • Talking about death or suicide
  • Frequent headaches or stomachaches
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Changes in academic performance
  • Avoiding or missing school

How to Talk About Mental Health

We know kids don’t always show signs of mental health concerns and can be good at hiding what they are going through or feeling. That’s why it’s important to have conversations about mental health and ask about their mental health.

Having these conversations normalize mental health for your kids and also clues you into any issues your kids might be experiencing. Download the report for more examples of how to start these conversations with your family.

Screenings

The U.S. Preventive Service Task Force is made of up health professionals and psychologists who evaluate evidence on various preventive health services. The task force now recommends regular anxiety screenings for youth ages 8 to 18 and regular depression screenings for adolescents ages 12 to 18. This can be done with your primary care physician, school counselor or mental health professional.


Getting Help

It’s hard to know when to ask for professional help. If you are wondering if you should seek care for your child, the answer is yes. By the time you are considering this, it is time to seek support. Here is how Burrell can help:

Línea de crisis 24 horas

Llame a nuestra línea telefónica gratuita de 24 horas para obtener ayuda en su situación de crisis inmediata.

Suroeste de Missouri: 1-800-494-7355

Centro de Missouri: 1-800-395-2132

Línea de ayuda nacional: Llame o envíe un mensaje de texto al 988