According to NC Health News, mental health diagnoses among children are on the rise. The number of children aged 3-17 receiving a diagnosis of depression or anxiety increased by 49 percent from 2016 to 2020, NC Child said.

In its report, NC Child noted that suicide became the leading cause of death for children ages 10-14 in 2019. The next year, “an unprecedented 67 children” aged 10-18 died by suicide in North Carolina.

 

In recent years, more of the state’s teens reported seriously considering attempting suicide. For high school students, the rate of suicidal ideation increased from 16.2 percent in 2017 to 22.3 percent in 2021, according to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. One in 10 reported actually making an attempt at ending their lives.

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Among youth aged 12–17 in North Carolina, the annual average percentage with a major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year increased between 2004–2008 and 2013–2017. During 2013–2017, the annual average prevalence of past-year MDE in North Carolina was 12.1% (or 92,000), similar to both the regional average (11.1%) and the national average (12.1%). (SAMHSA SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2013–2017)

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North Carolina ranks 42 States with rankings 1-13 have a lower prevalence of mental illness and higher
rates of access to care for youth. States with rankings 39-51 indicate that youth have a higher prevalence of mental illness and lower rates of access to care.

 

The seven measures that make up the Youth Ranking include:

1. Youth With At Least One Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in the Past Year

2. Youth With Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year

3. Youth With Severe MDE

4. Youth With MDE Who Did Not Receive Mental Health Service

5. Youth With Severe MDE Who Received Some Consistent Treatment

6. Children With Private Insurance That Did Not Cover Mental or Emotional Problem

7. Students Identified With Emotional Disturbance for an Individualized Education Program