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In the US, suicide rates have increased by 36% over the past 20 years. It is one of the leading causes of death, taking thousands of people’s lives. According to the NIH, this is caused by an increase in mental health disorders.

What is causing this drastic increase in mental health disorders? According to the NIH, there are many answers to this question: social media, substance abuse, economic challenges, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The pandemic was hard for all of us. Mental health in general declined in the US, causing suicide and depression rates to increase. The pandemic led to social isolation, academic disruption, and more. A CDC survey of mental health after the pandemic said that 30% of parents lost work. The same CDC survey said that 37% of high school students reported that they felt a decline in their mental health during the pandemic.

Another reason for the increase in mental health disorders is because of social media. As more people use social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, etc., they have become more isolated. The NIH says studies have shown watching others online can lead to social isolation due to the fact that the person is not spending that time socializing or talking to someone face to face. Social isolation is yet another symptom of a decline in mental health.

The Covid-19 pandemic, social media, and many other causes have ultimately led to this drastic decline in mental health. As this decline in mental health occurs, people are more prone to develop mental health disorders, and we see this increase in disorders today.

Although most mental health disorders are irreversible, there are ways we can improve our mental wellbeing and reduce our vulnerability to these disorders. Sometimes, we underestimate the importance of seeking support or reaching out for help. Additionally, self-care is crucial in addressing this issue. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and allowing ourselves moments of happiness contribute to our overall wellbeing. In the end, it comes down to helping ourselves. By helping ourselves, we help each other. While self-care is not a replacement for clinically diagnosed mental illnesses, it serves as an additional enhancement beyond clinical assistance.

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