STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Social and educational disruptions during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have heightened concerns about mental health and suicidal behavior among adolescents, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported this week.
Data from the 2021 Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES) indicates that 37.1% of U.S. high school students reported poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, with 19.9% considering and 9.0% attempting suicide in the preceding year, the CDC reported.
Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poor mental health and suicidal behaviors, and high prevalence of some ACEs have been documented during the pandemic, the CDC said.
ACEs are preventable, potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood (ages 0–17 years) such as neglect, experiencing or witnessing violence, or having a family member attempt or die by suicide. Also included are aspects of a child’s environment that can undermine a sense of safety, stability, and bonding.
Nearly three out of four U.S. high school students reported ACEs, the CDC found.
Linking children and adolescents to trauma-informed services and supports and creating environments that help them thrive can help address this urgent issue, the CDC advised.
Using Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey (ABES) data, CDC researchers found nearly three out of four students reported at least one recent ACE, like emotional abuse or food insecurity.
Students who reported four or more recent ACEs were three to four times more likely to report poor mental health and 25 times more likely to report attempting suicide in the past year than students who did not report any recent ACEs.
ACEs are common experiences for children and teens, both prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC said in announcing the findings.
A recent study has heightened concerns about teen mental health and suicide instances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. (Courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
