Poor youth mental health is an ongoing problem, with lawmakers, workplaces, and even local schools seeking solutions to help children and adolescents struggling with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
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decline Youth mental health is an ongoing issue; Lawmakers, workplaces, and even local schools are looking for solutions to help children and youth struggling with anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.
DiLeonardo said the global situation is contributing to the generation's mental health issues, especially since Gen Z is expected to make up 30% of the workforce. He urged health care providers and local leaders to plan the implementation of health services. By 2030.
“In every generation, there are many things that happen that have a huge impact on how we see the world. Gen said. “But think about the most important things they've had to deal with: economic instability, ongoing conflict, and constant access to the internet.”
She blames not only the influence of social media and technology, but also active shooter training in schools, the ongoing military conflict and the 9/11 attacks, and the 2008 economic downturn as contributing factors to Gen Z's declining mental health. cited setbacks.
Mental health for Gen Z and younger generations could be a topic of debate in the 2024 legislative session, when Maryland lawmakers have the opportunity to change and expand behavioral health efforts across the state.
according to Report from the Legislative Bureau The study, which analyzes what is likely to be the subject of legislation, found that heavy use of social media among young people may increase the risk of poor mental health.
The report states that young people's mental health needs “remain elevated or underserved since the war.” [COVID] Pandemic. “
“In 2021, 8th and 10th grade students spent more than 3.5 hours per day on social media. Research shows that adolescents who spend more than 3 hours per day are more likely to have poor mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. “The risk of experiencing a traumatic event has been shown to double,” the report states.
Efforts have been made to address Maryland's youth mental health crisis.
In the 2023 Congress, Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) She promoted, and lawmakers approved, a broad behavioral health legislative package to study and evaluate how to best address mental health needs across the state.it creates A committee that examines the mental health needs of specific communities, such as young people.
Additionally, the Maryland Department of Health recently announced an expansion of the John L. Gildner Regional Children and Youth Institute in Rockville.
The institute's newly renovated Cottage 2 will provide 12 additional beds to help Maryland's youth overcome emotional, behavioral and academic challenges, according to a Tuesday press release. Masu. The facility is a residential treatment center for “young people who have been court-ordered into the care of the Maryland Department of Health for competency services.”
Meanwhile, the Maryland Community Support Coordination Consortium is considering grant proposals to strengthen community- and school-based behavioral health efforts.consortium It has $120 million to distribute among various projects.
The consortium, tasked with improving behavioral services in schools, met in late November to evaluate 258 project proposals across 24 school districts, totaling $380 million in requests.
Funding requests for the project ranged from $37,000 to $17.9 million, but consortium staff will consult with applicants to see if the amount requested can be reduced.
Project proposals include school staff training, peer support, mental health apps, creative expressive therapy, medication management, dating violence prevention, and more.
Staff will provide advice on which proposals to fund and how much funding a project can receive. The consortium plans to meet in January to consider staff's recommendations. The grant he is expected to announce in January.
