Teens’ mental health has taken a hit the past few years due to more time spent at home during the pandemic.

Teens’ mental health has taken a hit the past few years due to more time spent at home during the pandemic. Research from the CDC on adolescents’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic found that for many who were ordered to quarantine, home was not an emotionally or physically safe space. The nationwide survey of over 7,000 high school students conducted in the first half of 2021 shows 44.2% describe persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness that kept them from participating in normal activities, with 9% reporting a suicide attempt. What’s more, 55.1% report experiencing emotional abuse from a parent or another adult in their house in the past year, with 11.3% report experiencing physical abuse. These reports are significantly higher compared to research conducted in 2013, showing 13.9% of respondents 14-17-years-old saying they experienced emotional abuse in the past year and 5.5% reporting physical abuse. More time spent at home hasn’t resulted in positive outcomes for many high schoolers, signaling the importance of school environments on a young person’s personal and social well-being. YPulse’s mental health research shows over half of young people say the COVID-19 pandemic has—or will—negatively impact their mental health, while 43% say it has or will negatively impact their relationships with family and friends. (NYT)