PORTLAND, Ore. — With May as Mental Health Awareness Month, local doctors are highlighting that young people in Oregon struggle more than in any other state. It's now being called a crisis.
"I would say it's a crisis if 40% of kids are struggling with mental illness of some type," said Dr. Ajit Jetmalani, Oregon Health and Science University's director of child psychology. And the problem, Jetmalani said, is getting worse.
"We've seen a persistent escalation year over year of challenges that youth are feeling and experiencing in their lives," said Jetmalani. According to Mental Health America, Oregon ranks last in the United States in the degree of mental health challenges for youth. Getting care is an issue as well, local doctors add; Oregon ranks around 20th when it comes to access to care.
RELATED: Oregon’s mental health care system is flawed. Here’s what’s being done about it The challenges facing kids and teens are connected to the world around them. "We've seen persistent rises that correlate with increased political strife and the escalated conversations about climate change ," said Jetmalani.
It all boils down to young people feeling less secure. "Their sense of future is diminished. The framework around them — family, school, community — is less predictable, and many people are extremely stressed by economic pressures," said Jetmalani.
Social media is also causing kids and teens not to feel as safe. "They're distracted constantly; their mind is elsewhere .
