Mental Health Diagnoses, Care Challenges Rise Among US Youth, Report Finds

Female psychologist working | Image Credit: Pixel-Shot - stock.adobe.com

A new report has shed light on the concerning state of mental health among young people in the US, with increasing challenges and inadequate access to care. The findings, compiled by the Evernorth Research Institute, indicate a sharp rise in mental health conditions in the youth population, with implications for both affected individuals and their parents.¹

"To foster a vital, thriving society, we must change the trajectory of the mental health crisis and address the human and economic toll at its very core," David M. Cordani, chairman and CEO of The Cigna Group, stated in a press release shared today.²

"In collaboration with employers, we have the unique ability to curb the crisis by more effectively engaging parents and children quickly and seamlessly and fostering workplaces that are supportive of family mental health."

The number of young people grappling with mental health conditions has surged by 28% since 2018, with an even more staggering increase of 48% observed among those diagnosed with at least 2 mental health issues.¹ Over a quarter of parents surveyed disclosed that they have a child facing mental health challenges, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, according to the findings.

"Particularly for Gen Z and some of the younger generations, there's just a comfort level with using some of these [telehealth] apps, understanding the technology, and that the increased access that they allow me to provide people to have," Chris Pagani, MD, PC, medical director of Rittenhouse Psychiatric Associates, shared in an interview with AJMC®. "I think it's going to be very important to continue to flourish and be utilized as everyone's getting a little bit older, and we're having to tackle the mental health difficulties that we have in this country."

While behavioral health care utilization has been rising, the treatment landscape has been worsening. The report shows that 20% of youths did not receive any form of treatment within 3 months of their initial behavioral health diagnosis.

Furthermore, the report highlights disparities in treatment modalities, with only 29% of young people receiving a combination of medication and therapy. A significant portion of individuals relied solely on medication, raising concerns about holistic and comprehensive care.

The results are based on an extensive analysis drawing on claims data from over 20 million commercially insured individuals under the age of 26. Additionally, the research incorporated insights derived from surveys administered to more than 1500 US parents and over 1000 parents of children facing mental health challenges in February 2024.

Notable findings from the research revealed disparities in the treatment of young people diagnosed with behavioral health conditions, with a significant proportion going untreated. Overall, 38% of young individuals diagnosed with these conditions did not receive any form of treatment. This includes substantial percentages of individuals diagnosed with specific disorders, such as anxiety (45%), acute stress disorders (39%), depression (29%), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (24%).

Among those who did undergo treatment, a subset received medication alone, without accompanying therapy. This practice was observed in nearly 27% of individuals diagnosed with ADHD and 21% of those with depression. According to the report, these findings raise important considerations regarding the holistic approach recommended by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, which advocates for a collaborative treatment plan encompassing both medication and therapy, especially for conditions like ADHD.

The report also highlighted a correlation between combined therapy and medication and improved medication adherence among young people. Among individuals diagnosed with depression, 60% of those undergoing a combination of medication and therapy adhered to their medication regimen at 6 months, compared with 52% of those solely treated with medication. Similarly, those with ADHD who received both therapy and medication demonstrated better medication adherence at the 6-month mark (44%) than those solely on medication (39%).

The impact of the youth mental health crisis extends to parents as well. On average, working parents of children with mental health challenges devote approximately 7.7 hours per week to managing their child's needs. Additionally, they experience disruptions in their work schedule, with up to 4 days per month affected by tardiness, early departure, or absenteeism related to their child's mental health care requirements.

“Behind every young person, every prescription, and every appointment is often a parent trying to help their child feel better," Eva Borden, president of behavioral health at Evernorth Health Services, said in a statement. "The significant emotional burden parents and caregivers carry manifests into stress and anxiety that impacts life at home, at work, and in the community.”

The urgent need for concerted efforts to alleviate this crisis and the burden on parents was acknowledged. The report included several measures that employers can implement to support their workforce and foster improved mental health outcomes for families.

Key recommendations included enhancing access to behavioral health provider networks, offering flexible scheduling to accommodate appointments, and facilitating virtual behavioral care options. By prioritizing parental support and investing in comprehensive mental health initiatives, employers can play a pivotal role in mitigating the impact of the crisis on families and communities.

“This research is a call to action for employers to strengthen their approach to parental support and behavioral health care to drive measurable, improved health outcomes—with the goal of changing the trajectory of the crisis," Borden said.

References

1. For a healthy workforce, curbing the youth mental health crisis is imperative. Evernorth Research Institute. April 24, 2024. Accessed April 24, 2024. https://www.evernorth.com/youth-mental-health-research-may-2024

2. New report: Employers play critical role in curbing today's youth mental health crisis. News release. The Cigna Group. April 26, 2024. Accessed April 26, 2024. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-report-employers-play-critical-role-in-curbing-todays-youth-mental-health-crisis-302128203.html