PORTLAND, Ore. — With May as Mental Health Awareness Month, local doctors are highlighting that young people in Oregon struggle more than in any other state. It's now being called a crisis.
"I would say it's a crisis if 40% of kids are struggling with mental illness of some type," said Dr. Ajit Jetmalani, Oregon Health and Science University's director of child psychiatry.
And the problem, Jetmalani said, is getting worse.
"We've seen a persistent escalation year over year of challenges that youth are feeling and experiencing in their lives," said Jetmalani.
According to Mental Health America, Oregon ranks last in the United States in the degree of mental health challenges for youth. Getting care is an issue as well, local doctors add; Oregon ranks around 20th when it comes to access to care.
The challenges facing kids and teens are connected to the world around them.
"We've seen persistent rises that correlate with increased political strife and the escalated conversations about climate change," said Jetmalani.
It all boils down to young people feeling less secure.
"Their sense of future is diminished. The framework around them — family, school, community — is less predictable, and many people are extremely stressed by economic pressures," said Jetmalani.
Social media is also causing kids and teens not to feel as safe.
"They're distracted constantly; their mind is elsewhere and what they're seeing online is either — to be frank — brutish adults saying terrible things or impulsive kids saying terrible things," explained Jetmalani.
It also causes them to question their own lives and their happiness.
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Parents and caregivers can keep kids on the right track with their mental health. First, they should look out for any warning signs.
"When kids are missing school, their performance has deteriorated, when they seem to be disconnected from things that used to be important to them — sports, music, friends, artwork and/or their group of friends changes dramatically or disconnected from their friends — those are all signs something is array," Jetmalani said.
Experts say it's also important to reach out to a doctor if you think your child needs help.
"I think the main thing is to always maintain that relationship and find reasons for kids to feel hopeful and engaged in their life," Jetmalani said.
If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.