How Common
Mental Health Challenges
and Mental Disorders in
Youth and Young adults?
Recovery from a mental health challenge is not
simply a matter of will and self-discipline.
Children and youth with a serious emotional
disturbance are defined as persons from birth
up to age 18, who currently
or at anytime during the past year, have had a
diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional
disorder which substantially interferes with or
limits the child's role or functioning in family,
school, or community activities.
Adults with a serious mental illness are defined by
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration as persons age 18 and over, who currently or
at any time during the past year, have had a
diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional
disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic
criteria, resulting in functional impairment which
substantially interferes with or limits one or more
major life activities."
Mental disorders often occur in combination.
For example, a person with an anxiety disorder may also
develop depression or a person who is depressed
may abuse alcohol or other drugs perhaps in an effort
to self-medicate. Terms used to describe having
more than one mental disorder are dual diagnosis,
comorbidity, and co-occurrence".
The terms generally used throughout Youth Mental
Health First Aid USA are a young person, youth, or
young adult with a mental health challenge or mental
disorder. Youth Mental Health First Aid USA does not
cover all the different types of mental health challenges
and disorders. The most common and most severe
types are covered. However, it is important to note
that the guidance in Youth Mental Health First Aid
USA may be useful and applied to other mental health
challenges that are not covered.
How Common
Mental Health Challenges
and Mental Disorders in
Youth and Young adults?
Studies have estimated that about 18 percent of
the U.S. population ages 18-54 are affected by a
mental disorder during a given year and about 50
percent of the population will have a diagnosis of or
a diagnosable disorder in their lifetime. First onset of
these disorders are usually childhood or adolescence.
(Kessler, 2005).
The prevalence of mental disorders in children and
youth (to the point at which their life is significantly
impacted) is also estimated to be approximately
20 percent during a given year.
Notes:
"The definition of mental health varies across
individuals and cultures. Culture influences
mental health, mental health challenges and
disorders, and mental health services in many
ways. Historically, mental health has been
seen as a continuum ranging from good mental
health to having a mental illness. Recently, an
alternative view is to consider a mental health
continuum and a mental health problem as
coexisting and independent from each other.
In other words, someone with a diagnosable
mental health problem, such as depression
or schizophrenia, can still have a high level
of positive mental health, such as social and
emotional well-being. However, many people
who have no serious or diagnosable mental
health challenges or problems may still lack
good mental health."
simply a matter of will and self-discipline.
Children and youth with a serious emotional
disturbance are defined as persons from birth
up to age 18, who currently
or at anytime during the past year, have had a
diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional
disorder which substantially interferes with or
limits the child's role or functioning in family,
school, or community activities.
Adults with a serious mental illness are defined by
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration as persons age 18 and over, who currently or
at any time during the past year, have had a
diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional
disorder of sufficient duration to meet diagnostic
criteria, resulting in functional impairment which
substantially interferes with or limits one or more
major life activities."
Mental disorders often occur in combination.
For example, a person with an anxiety disorder may also
develop depression or a person who is depressed
may abuse alcohol or other drugs perhaps in an effort
to self-medicate. Terms used to describe having
more than one mental disorder are dual diagnosis,
comorbidity, and co-occurrence".
The terms generally used throughout Youth Mental
Health First Aid USA are a young person, youth, or
young adult with a mental health challenge or mental
disorder. Youth Mental Health First Aid USA does not
cover all the different types of mental health challenges
and disorders. The most common and most severe
types are covered. However, it is important to note
that the guidance in Youth Mental Health First Aid
USA may be useful and applied to other mental health
challenges that are not covered.
How Common
Mental Health Challenges
and Mental Disorders in
Youth and Young adults?
Studies have estimated that about 18 percent of
the U.S. population ages 18-54 are affected by a
mental disorder during a given year and about 50
percent of the population will have a diagnosis of or
a diagnosable disorder in their lifetime. First onset of
these disorders are usually childhood or adolescence.
(Kessler, 2005).
The prevalence of mental disorders in children and
youth (to the point at which their life is significantly
impacted) is also estimated to be approximately
20 percent during a given year.
Notes:
"The definition of mental health varies across
individuals and cultures. Culture influences
mental health, mental health challenges and
disorders, and mental health services in many
ways. Historically, mental health has been
seen as a continuum ranging from good mental
health to having a mental illness. Recently, an
alternative view is to consider a mental health
continuum and a mental health problem as
coexisting and independent from each other.
In other words, someone with a diagnosable
mental health problem, such as depression
or schizophrenia, can still have a high level
of positive mental health, such as social and
emotional well-being. However, many people
who have no serious or diagnosable mental
health challenges or problems may still lack
good mental health."