November 18, 2022 – Anxiety among children is on the rise, according to United Health Foundation’s 2022 America’s Health Rankings Health of Women and Children Report. The report reveals sharp increases in youth mental health challenges, including:
- Anxiety among children ages 3-17 increased 23% between 2017-2018 and 2020-2021. In 2020-2021, anxiety affected roughly 5.6 million children ages 3-17 – an increase of more than 1 million children since 2017-2018.
- Depression among children ages 3-17 increased 27% between 2017-2018 and 2020-2021. In 2020-2021, depression affected roughly 2.5 million children ages 3-17, an increase of over a half a million more children than in 2017-2018.
- The teen suicide rate increased 29% at the national level between 2012-2014 and 2018-2020 among 15- to 19-year-olds.
“Many mental health disorders can start by age 14, so it’s critical that we provide promotion, prevention and early intervention strategies to equip younger adolescents with the necessary tools and coping skills to proactively manage and care for their mental health,” said Alison Malmon, executive director and founder of Active Minds. “Just like many other illnesses, mental health promotion strategies can be powerful tools for helping young people thrive.”
To address this, the United Health Foundation, the philanthropic foundation of UnitedHealth Group, is making a $3 million commitment over three years in partnership with Active Minds, a leading nonprofit organization promoting mental health awareness and education for young adults.
With 19 years of impact and a presence at more than 1,000 campuses, schools, communities and workplaces nationwide, Active Minds is reducing the stigma around mental health, creating communities of support and saving lives. This funding will enable the organization to launch a pilot program in 50 school districts across Minnesota, North Carolina and Florida to better serve youth mental health at the middle school level for the first time.