As we continue to prioritize helping kids with their mental health, it is important to regularly check in with research findings to examine what trends are occurring in America today. Psychotropic drugs used to treat mental health conditions continue to be widespread, but what does this mean? That increasingly more kids are mentally ill? That the drugs are more effective than ever before at treating mental illness? Or that other non-drug approaches are not as effective as psychotropic drugs? Or maybe, just maybe, we over-diagnose mental illness in kids, and quickly treat them with drugs instead of other healthier, more effective approaches.
Taking a closer look at kids & mental health
National survey data consistently show that a substantial and growing share of U.S. children and adolescents are treated with psychotropic medications, with roughly 10% of kids now taking at least one medication for mental-health or behavioral concerns in a given year. The most common conditions driving prescriptions are ADHD (primarily stimulants), followed by anxiety and depression (SSRIs), with smaller use of anti-psychotic medications for severe mood dysregulation, aggression, and autism-related irritability. Long-term trends indicate that pediatric psychotropic use rose steadily from the early 2000s through the late 2010s, driven especially by increases in stimulants and antidepressants. The overall trend pattern suggests that more youth today are receiving psychiatric medications than a generation ago, reflecting rising rates of diagnosed mental-health conditions, and increasing reliance on pharmacologic interventions.
We now have decades of research findings to examine regarding kids and how they are treated for mental illness, with one big takeaway being that more kids are on drugs than ever before. Perhaps another conclusion might be that the psychotropic drugs being prescribed are not working, as more kids are on these drugs, yet mental health concerns continue to rise. There has got to be a better way, right? Fortunately, the answer to that question is YES!
If the goal is to not throw money at pharmaceutical companies but to instead actually help kids, perhaps we should try some of the more proven, safer methods below:
- Listen to kids. Listening is one of the more empowering things we can do, and this is especially true when adults stop talking and genuinely tune in to what kids are saying. Learn about their interests, goals, and the things they care about, and validate their feelings when they tell you how they feel. To know that you count in life is a really great way to ward off mental health issues.
- Build kids up. For many kids struggling they haven’t found their self-worth, but this can be improved upon by adults who find what makes each kid unique. Maybe it’s a hobby, personal talent, sports team, or school club they are passionate about — if you ask and are sincere, you might be surprised at what you learn.
- Help them find meaning. Finding your way in life can be really tough, but once found, it provides meaning and direction. Help kids learn about what they do best, or can offer others in service. Help kids feel good by modeling acts of altruism, helping others overcome, or supporting them while they develop an idea that one day might make a big difference in the world!
- Give them things to do other than screens. If kids are bored these days, they do one thing: screens. Kids who spend the bulk of their day on phones, pads, and game systems often experience social isolation, mental fatigue,m depression, and anxiety. When adults use screens as a babysitter instead of guiding kids toward other, healthier activities, it leaves kids vulnerable to otherwise avoidable mental health issues.
The recommendations above are drug-free and will not harm your kids by means of unwanted and potentially dangerous side effects, and only require care and effort on our behalf. When kids fall through the cracks, they lose direction, purpose, and meaning — precursors to a variety of mental health issues. Instead, help steer kids back to a healthier path by considering some of the ideas presented here.
Final thoughts
Life can be tough, and this is especially true for kids. It is important that we distinguish healthy life challenges from psychopathology so that we don’t immediately label kids “mentally ill” for simply working through challenges they face in life. It is even more important that we scrutinize the drugs we place kids on so that we don’t create new problems and/or exacerbate current issues. Instead, build kids up by listening, supporting, and caring.
drstankovich.com
