Sleep deprivation is a crucial component of the rise of mental health issues among youth.

Question

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-07-22/mental-health-sleep-deprivation-teens

Only 20% of high schoolers are getting adequate sleep at night. Furthermore, there is evidence that this lack of sleep is linked to depression, anxiety, and even suicide rates. It also is related to lack of judgement and impulsive tendencies, and it is important to modify one's behavior to improve their sleeping habits.

Comments

I agree that many young individuals who are sleep deprived have more impact on their mental health which affects their performance in their academics, work setting, and overall lifestyle. Your body can't function well when your body isn't fully rested, which can cause mood swings and lack of concentration. If they are already struggling with certain disorders, then this makes it more stressful for them.

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Yes this makes sense for lack of sleep to be the cause of mental health issues rising for teens. Many teens stay up much later than they have to because of distractions, like phones, or other issues. But a main issue are the phones, this is causing teens to stay up and lose the crucial sleeping hours they need to be able to function properly and efficiently. I have noticed at times where i have not gotten enough sleep over a period of time, I am a lot more grumpier, lazy, unmotivated, look and feel worse, and just dont feel good in general. Once you realize how much rest actually effects your life, its much easier to put down those distractions so that you can benefit more. Especially as teens, its hard to accept that and be aware of it to make that difference, but it would definitely help with the rise of mental health.

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This is a valid and great post. It is true that teenagers who are sleep deprived have a decreasing mental-health due to not getting the rest their body and mind needs as growing individuals. If they were already having a hard time with different mental illnesses it can cause a more stress induced time for them because of not sleeping.

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I agree, we also as a collective are bad at judging our abilities when we are sleep-deprived. We underestimate how bad sleep impairment affects our cognitive ability. I think phones may be a huge cause of our mental health, especially with sort form content.

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The CDC confirms that only about 22% of high schoolers report getting the recommended 8–10 hours of sleep per night. Studies from the National Institute of Mental Health support the link between sleep deprivation and increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among teenagers. The connection between poor sleep and poor decision-making is also well-supported in psychological research.

Answer 1

This statement is factual. A research study by the Child Mind Institute shows that "Less sleep correlated with higher levels of depression, and in turn, those kids with more depression had problems falling or staying asleep. It’s a vicious cycle — lack of sleep affects mood, and depression can lead to lack of sleep. And multiple studies, including Dr. Meldrum’s, have found that severe sleep debt is linked to suicidal ideation." This proves how, in today's youth, such things cause more and more mental health problems as kids grow up.

Answer 2

This claim is true, inadequate or poor sleep can negatively impact mental health. Poor or lack of sleep can lead to decreased positive emotions and increase negative emotional responses to stressors. It can also lead to mood swings, irritability, illness, strained relationships, anxiety, depression. All of which can negatively impact mental health. Inadequate or poor sleep is becoming increasingly common for youth which is causing a rise of mental health issues among the youth. 

https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/news/how-sleep-deprivation-affects-your-mental-health#:~:text=And%20there%20is%20now%20robust,and%20to%20decrease%20positive%20emotions.

https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/data-research/facts-stats/high-school-students-sleep-facts-and-stats.html

Answer 3

This is true, according to an article by Lisa L. Lewis in the Los Angeles Times. Sleep deprivation is a significant factor in the ongoing youth mental health crisis. The percentages mentioned also appear to be correct and accurate. As a teenager myself, I can relate to this, as I have personally experienced issues related to lack of sleep, and I’ve witnessed many of my peers going through similar challenges. The LA Times article also highlights that the rise in suicide attempts among teens is linked to mental health struggles, which can be exacerbated by insufficient sleep. This lack of sleep prevents the body and mind from functioning properly, further contributing to mental health issues in young people. Additionally, PubMed has conducted extensive research supporting this material. Sleep changes significantly throughout the human lifespan, and physiological modifications in sleep regulation—especially in circadian rhythms—predispose adolescents to sleep loss until early adulthood. Adolescents, who make up one-sixth of the global population, are at high risk for mental health disorders, particularly mood disorders, and self-injury, which can be linked to sleep deprivation. This research reinforces the importance of addressing sleep issues as a critical factor in adolescent mental health.

https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2022-07-22/mental-health-sleep-deprivation-teens

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10136689/