Getting Open: Thielen Foundation Addressing Overlooked Mental Health of Youth

......Although it is difficult to interpret whether this is a result of improved recognition of mental health symptoms, or because of environmental stressors like greater expectations in society, current events, or the social/emotional breakdown of the [COVID-19] pandemic, it does appear that kids and adolescents have been especially vulnerable," Young said. "Unfortunately, in my child/adolescent clinic, it seems like more and more of my patients have been in crisis lately, and I seem to be making an increasing number of referrals to the emergency room and various structured levels of care.

Young added: "The recent research has also shown that ERs everywhere are more overcrowded than ever during this pandemic with kids and teens waiting to be evaluated and hospitalized for suicidal thoughts.".....