Investing in the Mental Health of Teens is a Valuable Undertaking
Investing in adolescent mental health care is not just a financial decision; it's an investment in the future. By addressing mental health challenges during adolescence, we are giving young people the chance to build brighter futures, both for themselves and for our societies.
Economic Outcomes
Untreated adolescent mental health issues can lead to long-term financial consequences, including a less prepared workforce and increased reliance on social services. This reduces a country's labor supply and imposes large economic costs across generations.
Research from the UK estimates that mental health problems in childhood cost over £1 trillion in lifetime lost earnings, directly affecting economic growth and government agendas. However, early interventions and prevention programs are cost-effective, potentially generating societal benefits equal to or greater than their initial investment by reducing the burden of mental illness and improving workforce participation.
Social Outcomes
Effective adolescent mental health support promotes healthier adult lives by reducing risks associated with poor physical and mental health, substance abuse, and social marginalization. Investments in youth mental health services contribute to more equitable and supportive environments, especially for vulnerable populations such as low-income or marginalized communities.
Social capital within families and communities also enhances adolescents' mental well-being, which has downstream effects on reducing public health risks and improving community resilience.
Overall Impact
Addressing mental health challenges during adolescence fosters social inclusion, reduces stigma, and promotes a more productive and healthy adult population. Failure to invest results in escalating crises with high human and economic costs, while proactive, comprehensive, and equitable investments can transform life trajectories, supporting holistic societal well-being.
Funding adolescent mental health could include more mental health counselors in schools, training for teachers to recognize warning signs, and accessible treatment options in communities. It's essential to ensure equal access to mental health support for all teens, particularly for those who are more likely to experience mental distress, such as Black and Hispanic teens, and those with developmental or physical health challenges.
Addressing factors such as unsafe neighborhoods, financial instability at home, and lack of parental engagement could also help address the root causes of distress in teenagers.
The potential return on investing in adolescent mental health care makes it a worthwhile investment. A modeled policy suggested that even a modest reduction in mental health challenges among adolescents could significantly boost workforce participation and reduce reliance on public assistance.
The study, "Psychological distress in adolescence and later economic and health outcomes in the United States population: A retrospective and modeling study," found that teens experiencing mental distress earned, on average, $5,658 less per year and worked about 200 fewer hours annually.
The long-term benefits of integrating mental health considerations into government decision-making are often overlooked in current models. By prioritizing adolescent mental health, we can create a healthier, more equitable society and reap substantial economic returns by improving labor market outcomes and reducing public costs.
References: - Investing in adolescent mental health delivers long-term economic and social benefits. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/research/investing-in-adolescent-mental-health-delivers-long-term-economic-and-social-benefits/ - Flouri, E., & Buchanan, R. (2013). Psychological distress in adolescence and later economic and health outcomes in the United States population: A retrospective and modeling study. Journal of Health Economics, 32(5), 633-644.
In light of the evidence that untreated adolescent mental health issues can have lasting financial consequences and reduce a country's labor supply, it is prudent to invest in health-and-wellness programs focused on mental health during this critical period, as such investments could lead to improved economic outcomes. Furthermore, by fostering social inclusion, reducing stigma, and promoting mental health among adolescents, these proactive interventions can contribute to a healthier, more equitable society, thereby enhancing social-health, including mental health, in the long run.
