Teens are still increasingly lonely as the pandemic rages on. 

Teens are still increasingly lonely as the pandemic rages on. COVID has punished people of all ages, from overwhelming parents to isolating grandparents to shortchanging kids. But the “emotional fallout” for teens has been “uniquely brutal” especially at an age when they are “biologically predisposed” to seek independence from their parents, but are now trapped at home, and out of touch with most of their friends—and it’s leading to devastating behavior. According to the CDC, 26% of 18-24-year-olds reported having serious suicidal thoughts in the past month compared with 16% of 25-44-year-olds. Meanwhile, mental health visits to ERs by 12-17-year-olds increased 31% in 2020. YPulse’s State of Mind trend report found that 64% of 13-19-year-olds say their mental health has been negatively impacted by COVID. (The Washington Post)