Page 36 - The EDGE Summer 2025

MENTAL HEALTH

BY BIN SUH AND JOSHUA W. STEGEMEYER

Addressing the Mental Health Crisis in

Bin Suh Joshua W. Arizona's Youth
Stegemeyerr
The nation is facing a mental health crisis, major potentially traumatic events of experiences,
particularly among youth. Last year, the Arizona known as Adverse Childhood Experiences
1
Department of Health Services (ADHS) published (ACEs). 4
the Arizona Adolescent Mental Health Report to
describe the landscape of youth mental health Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) are
status and diagnoses, as well as access to mental experiences during childhood that promote
health care. In Arizona alone, nearly 4 in 10 high safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and
2
school students enrolled in public and charter environments. These include having supportive
schools reported that their current mental health relationships with parents, caregivers, peers,
was not good. Between 2017 and 2021, there was and significant individuals who offer emotional
a concerning increase in self-harm (21% to 28%), support and encouragement. Additionally, growing
suicide consideration (19% to 24%), and suicide up in a safe and stable environment is crucial
plans (15% to 20%). for fostering a sense of security and well-being.
Major categories of PCEs include: having an adult
The parent-reported data from the National mentor, family resilience, living in supportive and
Survey of Children's Health also shows similar safe neighborhoods, participation in afterschool
results. Between 2016-2017 and 2020-2021, activities, community service/volunteering, and
among Arizona adolescents aged 12-17 years, being able to share ideas.
the prevelence of anxiety increased by 55% (8%
to 33%), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder In Arizona, only 22% of adolescents aged 12-17
(ADHD) by 63% (8% to 13%), and depression years have more than six PCEs while a majority
doubled (6% to 12%). (58%) have three to five PCEs. More than 8 out
of 10 have an adult mentor and family resilience.
Female adolescents experienced higher rates of Additionally, 65% participate in afterschool
anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and non- activities, and 65% can share ideas that matter
fatal suicide attempts compared to males, while to them. 57% live in safe neighborhoods while
ADHD was more common in males. Adolescents 48% live in supportive neighborhoods where
who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or neighborhoods know and watch out for each
other'questioning reported poorer mental health other's children. Only 29% participate in volunteer
compared to their heterosexual peers. 3 activities. Notably, based on the youth-reported
data, 4 in 10 have caring adults and/or supportive
Many risk factors have been identified including friends with whom they can share feelings.
poverty, household substance use, abuse and
neglect, and or the cumulative experience of those

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36 THE EDGE SUMMER 2025