Annual Report Reveals Significant Toll on Colorado Kid’s Mental Health Due To Stress, Social Media and the Pandemic
According to a recent report, children in Colorado have been negatively impacted by the pandemic and are facing significant mental health challenges. The Kids Count in Colorado data report, which provides an annual assessment of child well-being in the state, was released this week. It draws data from various sources to assess the education, health, financial stability, and overall well-being of children in Colorado.
The report highlights a concerning trend of increasing mental health struggles among Colorado youth, coupled with limited access to resources. More high school students in the state are reporting persistent sadness and hopelessness, and the number of young Coloradans experiencing poor mental health for eight or more days in the past month has more than doubled in just six years.
The pandemic has exacerbated the mental health crisis, with half of youth reporting experiences of emotional abuse by a parent or adult in their household, as well as parental job loss and food insecurity. Students of color and LGBTQ+ students are disproportionately affected by these challenges compared to their white and heterosexual peers.
The report also reveals a significant increase in youth suicide rates, nearly doubling between 2010 and 2021. In 2021, one in six high school students in Colorado reported seriously considering suicide in the past year. However, there was a sharp decline in teen suicide rates in 2022, although the report does not provide a clear explanation for this drop. The highest youth suicide rates were observed in the southwestern part of the state, while rural-resort counties had the lowest rates.
To address these issues, the report suggests several solutions that include :
The development of effective coping and stress management skills
Ensuring adequate sleep (only a quarter of high school students reported sleeping eight or more hours per night)
Fostering support from friends and family (with 82 percent saying they could ask a parent or guardian for help with personal problems)
Increasing parental monitoring
Providing more opportunities for students to feel connected to their schools (as only 65 percent reported a sense of belonging
The report also offers recommendations, such as implementing universal mental health screenings in schools and prioritizing relationship building among peers.