Mental health disorders remain a significant global issue, and they’re the leading cause of disability worldwide. Close to 30% of individuals globally (or roughly 2.3 billion people) could expect to encounter a mood, anxiety, or substance-use disorder at some point in their lives.
In the United States, serious mental disorders impact around 20% of youth aged 13–18 during their lifetime, while for children aged 8–15, the estimate is about 13%. Troublingly, around 70% of youth in U.S. juvenile justice systems possess at least one mental health condition, and a minimum of 20% live with a severe mental illness.
Also, in the U.S., almost one in five adults, or close to 51 million people, experience some form of mental illness each year.
However, these figures may have increased due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other societal factors. It’s crucial to consult the most recent reports or databases for up-to-date information. Mental health remains an ongoing concern globally and needs continuous attention, research, and resources.
In the United States, serious mental disorders impact around 20% of youth aged 13–18 during their lifetime, while for children aged 8–15, the estimate is about 13%. Troublingly, around 70% of youth in U.S. juvenile justice systems possess at least one mental health condition, and a minimum of 20% live with a severe mental illness.
Also, in the U.S., almost one in five adults, or close to 51 million people, experience some form of mental illness each year.
However, these figures may have increased due to the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and other societal factors. It’s crucial to consult the most recent reports or databases for up-to-date information. Mental health remains an ongoing concern globally and needs continuous attention, research, and resources.
Mental Health Crisis: Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warned in December 2021 about the devastating effects of mental health challenges among young people. The suicide rate for Americans aged 10-19 had jumped by 40% from 2001 to 2019, and emergency room visits for self-harm had risen by 88%.
Defining Public Health Crisis: Murthy views mental health as the defining public health crisis of our time, considering it as the fuel that enables us to engage with our communities, friends, family, and lives. He argues that when mental health is compromised, it affects our ability to be our best selves and function effectively in work or school.
Worsening Trends: Compared to other generations, the current situation has worsened. Increased hospitalizations and suicide rates are not just about improved detection or increased willingness to discuss mental health issues. There’s a real increase in pain and despair among the youth.
Causes of the Crisis: The crisis is driven by factors such as loneliness and isolation, bullying (both offline and online), and the constant influx of information that often stokes fear and anxiety. Young people’s apprehension about the future, especially given the lack of effective solutions to pressing threats like violence, racism, and climate change, also contributes to the issue.
Role of Social Media: Social media platforms, while offering avenues for connection and exploration, are also contributing to the crisis. These platforms often make young people feel worse about themselves, negatively impact their friendships, and can be addictive. Time spent on social media often takes away from sleep, exercise, in-person interactions, schoolwork, and other joy-inducing activities.
Impact of Values on Mental Health: The values that guide us as a society play a crucial role in mental health. Young people often feel trapped in a “hustle culture,” pursuing goals that may not lead to their happiness or fulfillment. This necessitates a reevaluation of societal values and a shift towards those that prioritize mental well-being.
Defining Public Health Crisis: Murthy views mental health as the defining public health crisis of our time, considering it as the fuel that enables us to engage with our communities, friends, family, and lives. He argues that when mental health is compromised, it affects our ability to be our best selves and function effectively in work or school.
Worsening Trends: Compared to other generations, the current situation has worsened. Increased hospitalizations and suicide rates are not just about improved detection or increased willingness to discuss mental health issues. There’s a real increase in pain and despair among the youth.
Causes of the Crisis: The crisis is driven by factors such as loneliness and isolation, bullying (both offline and online), and the constant influx of information that often stokes fear and anxiety. Young people’s apprehension about the future, especially given the lack of effective solutions to pressing threats like violence, racism, and climate change, also contributes to the issue.
Role of Social Media: Social media platforms, while offering avenues for connection and exploration, are also contributing to the crisis. These platforms often make young people feel worse about themselves, negatively impact their friendships, and can be addictive. Time spent on social media often takes away from sleep, exercise, in-person interactions, schoolwork, and other joy-inducing activities.
Impact of Values on Mental Health: The values that guide us as a society play a crucial role in mental health. Young people often feel trapped in a “hustle culture,” pursuing goals that may not lead to their happiness or fulfillment. This necessitates a reevaluation of societal values and a shift towards those that prioritize mental well-being.
Surprising Prevalence of Loneliness: During his tenure as Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy was surprised to learn the extent of loneliness and social disconnection across the US during his listening tour. Despite different backgrounds, many Americans expressed feelings of isolation and insignificance, leading him to recognize loneliness as a more widespread issue than initially understood.
Loneliness as a Health Risk: Loneliness isn’t just an unpleasant emotion; it’s a serious health risk. It’s associated with an increased risk of various health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. The risk posed by social disconnection is comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, exceeding the risks associated with obesity and physical inactivity.
Impact on Society: Beyond individual health, a lack of social connection can harm societal structures like schools, workplaces, and civic organizations, where it can decrease performance, productivity, and engagement.
Need for Investment: Given the severe implications of loneliness and isolation, it’s imperative to invest in addressing social connection, much like efforts addressing tobacco use, obesity, and addiction.
Building a More Connected Society: The Surgeon General’s Advisory outlines the need to build a more connected society to prevent further societal division and isolation. This will require efforts from individuals, families, schools, workplaces, health care and public health systems, technology companies, governments, faith organizations, and communities.
Power of Relationships: Individuals can begin enhancing social connection in their own lives by strengthening their relationships. Simple actions like answering a phone call from a friend, sharing a meal, or providing service to others can foster human connection and contribute to healthier, more productive, and fulfilling lives.
Loneliness as a Health Risk: Loneliness isn’t just an unpleasant emotion; it’s a serious health risk. It’s associated with an increased risk of various health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. The risk posed by social disconnection is comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, exceeding the risks associated with obesity and physical inactivity.
Impact on Society: Beyond individual health, a lack of social connection can harm societal structures like schools, workplaces, and civic organizations, where it can decrease performance, productivity, and engagement.
Need for Investment: Given the severe implications of loneliness and isolation, it’s imperative to invest in addressing social connection, much like efforts addressing tobacco use, obesity, and addiction.
Building a More Connected Society: The Surgeon General’s Advisory outlines the need to build a more connected society to prevent further societal division and isolation. This will require efforts from individuals, families, schools, workplaces, health care and public health systems, technology companies, governments, faith organizations, and communities.
Power of Relationships: Individuals can begin enhancing social connection in their own lives by strengthening their relationships. Simple actions like answering a phone call from a friend, sharing a meal, or providing service to others can foster human connection and contribute to healthier, more productive, and fulfilling lives.
The shortage of mental health practitioners is a pressing issue worldwide, and particularly in underserved communities in the USA, and Low-to-Middle Income Countries (LMICs) across the globe.
In the United States, communities of color often face a lack of culturally competent mental health care. This lack is compounded by systemic barriers like stigma, language differences, and inadequate insurance coverage.
Internationally, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that mental health services are not adequately resourced in most LMICs. There is a significant gap between the need for mental health treatment and its provision, often referred to as the “mental health treatment gap.” In many LMICs, this gap exceeds 75% for serious conditions like depression and anxiety disorders.
The shortage of mental health professionals exacerbates these issues. Solutions may include strengthening mental health training programs, incentivizing practitioners to serve in underserved areas, integrating mental health services into primary care settings, and harnessing technology to provide telehealth services.
In even the most affluent nations, a staggering 60% of individuals grappling with severe mental disorders aren’t receiving the essential care they deserve. The scarcity of mental health providers is alarming, with a meager nine providers serving 100,000 individuals worldwide.
The need for mental health workers is urgent and pressing, with an additional 1.7 million professionals required in low- and middle-income countries alone.
This stark imbalance in mental health resources is a clarion call for immediate action. Together, let’s bridge this gap and ensure that no one is denied the mental health support they need.
The need for mental health workers is urgent and pressing, with an additional 1.7 million professionals required in low- and middle-income countries alone.
This stark imbalance in mental health resources is a clarion call for immediate action. Together, let’s bridge this gap and ensure that no one is denied the mental health support they need.
Mental Health Disorders are the Leading Causes of Disability Worldwide
Nearly 30% of the people in the world (approx. 83 million) experience a mood, anxiety or substance-use disorder in their lifetime.
In the United States, approximately 1 in 5 youth aged 13–18 experiences a severe mental disorder at some point during their life. For children aged 8–15, the estimate is 13%.
Of the youth in the US juvenile justice systems, 70% have at least one mental health condition, and at least 20% live with a serious mental illness.
Also in the US, almost one in five adults, that’s almost 44 million people, experiences some form of mental illness in any given year.
The Resources are Inadequate
In wealthy countries, up to 60% of people with severe mental disorders do not receive the care they need.
There are only nine mental-health providers per 100,000 people globally. An extra 1.7 million mental health workers are needed in low- and middle-income countries alone.
Nearly one-third of the United States’ population lacks adequate access to mental-health-care providers
Only 41% of adults in the US with a mental health condition received mental health services in 2014. Among adults with a serious mental illness, 62.9% received mental health services in that year.
GCSCORED has developed the following:
- The Cultivating SEEDS System Framework (CSS®).
- The RUMERTIME Process®, a scalable, culturally responsive problem-solving prevention and intervention strategy.
- The Journal of Global Engagement and Transformation® (JGET), a transdisciplinary practitioner-scholar open access online journal.
- The RUMERTIME Family Summer Camp®.
- The Access RUMERTIME Conversations® Podcast.
- The Access RUMERTIME Conversations® Facebook Community.
7. Access RUMERTIME Community Conversations®.
8. Access RUMERTIME Conversations® “Down to the Roots” Blog.
9. RUMERTIME Immersion Experiences® (Workshops, etc.).
10. Social-Emotional First Aid® (SEFA®)Training
11. The Institute for Social Emotional Education® (ISEE)
12. Listening Oasis Wellness Space® (LOWS) 1833-427-5697
13. The CSS® Shop (Books, Curricula, Games, Activities).