Youth Mental Health and Families in the United States After COVID-19

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health issues among adolescents have been receiving increased attention in the United States. There are efforts to improve adolescent mental health by providing communication skills training and supporting family interactions

• Mental health issues among adolescents
• Family ties bring security and resilience
• NAMI highlights the importance of family support
• Future outlook and recommendations

Mental health issues among adolescents

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended lifestyles around the world, but it has had a particularly severe impact on young people in the United States. School closures, social distancing, and restrictions on social activities have cut off young people from friends and communities, exacerbating a variety of mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. According

to a survey by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 29% of high school students in 2023 reported experiencing mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, and approximately 40% reported experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Furthermore, two in ten students seriously considered suicide that year, and nearly one in ten actually attempted suicide. Furthermore, while online services are becoming more widespread, the digital divide (the gap between those who can and cannot access the benefits of the internet) leaves many young people without sufficient support, further complicating the issue.

Family ties bring security and resilience

In these circumstances, family ties are key to adolescents' mental health. Providing a sense of emotional security and fostering resilience (the ability to overcome difficulties) to cope with stress and anxiety is crucial for early resolution of challenges faced by adolescents.

For example, families with smooth communication within the home are more likely to quickly notice minor worries or mood changes in adolescents and provide appropriate advice and support at that stage. Furthermore, providing academic support and ensuring time together can be effective ways to reduce adolescents' feelings of isolation and boost their self-esteem and self-affirmation. Sharing positive experiences through hobbies and recreational activities with family members gives adolescents a sense of being valued and contributes to their mental stability. Furthermore,

families' interest in adolescents' mental health helps create an environment in which adolescents feel they can rely on someone even when facing difficulties. Indeed, adolescents who enjoy the understanding and support of their families are less likely to seek support when faced with anxiety or stress, making it easier to take measures before the situation worsens. In this way, the role that families play in providing a sense of security and strengthening resilience will become even more important in the chaotic post-pandemic period.

NAMI highlights the importance of family support

The fact that family support has a significant impact on adolescent mental health is also supported by the efforts of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is known as the largest mental health nonprofit organization in the United States and offers a variety of programs for families and adolescents, with support that emphasizes the role of the family at its core.

First, the free eight-week "Family-to-Family" course strengthens support within the home by teaching families correct knowledge, communication strategies, and crisis management about mental health. NAMI reports that approximately 80% of program graduates reported that the quality of conversations within their family had improved, and that adolescents felt more comfortable discussing their condition.

Next, the six-week online "NAMI Basics" course helps adolescents deepen their understanding of mental health and acquire symptom management skills. Emphasizing peer support and promoting interaction with peers with similar experiences is said to reduce adolescents' feelings of isolation. Furthermore, internal survey data shows that when families understand what adolescents have learned and are willing to work with them, adolescents' anxiety and depression levels decreased by approximately 30%.

It is also worth noting that NAMI's "Ending the Silence" presentations in the local community reduce stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health issues and promote early intervention. By involving families in these community awareness activities, NAMI fosters a culture of openness about mental health issues in the community and further strengthens the support system surrounding young people. A

common thread throughout NAMI's programs is the attitude of "families learning and acting together with those affected," and many participants have commented that "mutual understanding within the family has deepened, and the mental health of young people has improved."

Future outlook and recommendations

The specific example of NAMI strongly suggests that a family-centered support system significantly influences adolescent mental health. To further expand these efforts, it is essential to expand family mental health education programs, promote collaboration with nonprofit organizations, and develop online resources. It is also important for

national and local governments to implement comprehensive policies and provide ongoing financial and institutional support. Deepening collaboration between families, local communities, educational institutions, and policymakers will help create an environment where adolescents feel safe to disclose their concerns and receive early and appropriate support. Even

in the harsh post-COVID-19 environment, the sense of security and resilience fostered by family ties will provide strong support for adolescents, and collaboration with local communities will further complement this. Expanding this mutually supportive framework to more regions is the surest way to ensure the healthy development and happiness of adolescents.

(Article revised and expanded from the February 2025 issue of EN-ICHI FORUM.)

• Bell, I. H., Nicholas, J., Broomhall, A., Bailey, E., Bendall, S., Boland, A., Robinson, J., Adams, S., McGorry, P. and Thompson, A. (2023). The impact of COVID-19 on youth mental health: A mixed methods survey. Psychiatry Research, vol.321, 115082.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024). Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary & Trends Report: 2013–2023, US Department of Health and Human Services.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Official Website: https://www.nami.org/Home

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