In New York City, statistics have shown the alarming rate of students that suffer from mental health illness. According to data released by Mayor de Blasio's administration, 73,000 public high schoolers feel hopeless and 8 percent of them attempt suicide every month.
Albany Daily Star states that one great source of disability in New York City is major depressive disorder. This gives rise to the ratio of one out of five New Yorkers suffering from mental health issues. In adult New Yorkers, half a million of them are said to be suffering from depression but only 40 percent receive the proper care.
According to the report, mental illness can occur even in students as this can appear at any point in one's life. Events, especially traumatic ones that happen during the early years, pose a great impact on children's mental health when they become adults.
This is a worrisome and sickening cycle. Kids who suffered from adverse events during childhood tend to grow up mentally unstable without any intervening medical care. When these underlying mental health issues aren't arrested, they have the tendency to become unfit parents, which will eventually result in exposing children to a harsh and adverse environment.
The report issued states, "Childhood exposure to adverse events, such as domestic violence, neglect, abuse, family financial strain, and divorce (or certain community conditions such as unsafe neighborhoods)-are all associated with chronic diseases and threats to mental health in adulthood."
NY Daily News also reported that in a survey of 1,000 The City of New York students, 26 percent of them showed anxiety and 19 percent exhibited depression symptoms. Out of these numbers, only 10 percent went to the health center to seek treatment.
Dr. Gary Belkin, DOH Executive Deputy Commissioner, said that a huge role rests on school's shoulders in combatting mental health problems. He added, "From a prevention standpoint, that's where we have to start."
