Mental health is increased by academics

Question

This claim is correct based on the Kansas KVC article that states, "Full schedules and responsibilities, relentless media overload, and less sleep are all examples of our kids' stressors. One of the biggest reasons kids are stressed is academic pressure". The article discusses the consequences that school has on mental health in students of all ages. This claim is not misinformation and is correct based on the credible source of Kansas KVC.

Answer 1

I think your claim is misworded slightly- it should say "mental health issues are increased by academics", mental health itself can be good or bad. Assuming you meant mental health issues, then this claim would have some truth but it really depends on the situation and the person. Some people crumble under the pressure of academic expectations, while there are still others who feel motivated by it. Pacificteentreatment.com says, "There are teenagers who experience mild academic pressure and are positively motivated by it, but the reverse is also true." while also saying, "There are a variety of unwanted effects that a young person can develop from academic pressure. Academic pressure can cause an adolescent to experience emotional and/ or physical symptoms of stress."

https://pacificteentreatment.com/mental-health/what-are-the-effects-of-academic-pressure/

Comments

I agree -- the claim is a bit vague and needs clarity. I think you understood the claim's intent though.

Answer 2

While this claim is true, it is not the sole factor for increased mental illness issues among youth today. According to Turnbridge the following are responsible for the rise of mental illness related issues among young people today:

• The pervasiveness of social media and its impact on youth 
• Heightened academic pressure among teenagers 
• Frequent use of substances like drugs and alcohol 
• Increased openness about mental health struggles 
• Broader issues such as racism, inequality, gun violence, and climate change affecting our society 

As you can see heightened academic pressure among teens is on the list, yet there are many other factors that you should weigh in when looking at this serious problem facing youth today. 

https://www.turnbridge.com/news-events/latest-articles/does-school-cause-mental-illness/#:~:text=While%20school%20alone%20does%20not,mental%20health%20struggles%20in%20students.

Answer 3

According to, "Balancing work and school," experts say academics increases increases mental health risks. Reports show, "70% of college students are stressed about finances." Not only does school work affect your mental health but also the stress of having to pay for it. 

https://mhanational.org/balancing-work-and-school. 

Also, according to, "How does academic stress affect mental health in the age of digital learning," experts also say academics have negative consequences. Reporters state," academic stress leads to less well-being and an increased likelihood of developing anxiety or depression." 

https://kansas.kvc.org/2020/11/10/how-does-academic-stress-affect-mental-health-in-the-age-of-digital-learning/

The claim is not misinformation.

Comments

When fact-checking a claim, always look for sources besides what was used in the claim (re kansas.kvc.org)

Answer 4

There is evidence to suggest that higher levels of education are associated with better mental health outcomes. One study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health in 2012 found that individuals with higher levels of education had lower rates of depression compared to those with lower levels of education. The study used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, a nationally representative survey of adults aged 50 and over in England. The researchers controlled for various sociodemographic factors, such as age, gender, income, and employment status, and found that the association between education and depression remained significant.

Reference: Cairney, J., Veldhuizen, S., Wade, T. J., Kurdyak, P., & Streiner, D. L. (2012). Evaluation of 2 measures of psychological distress as screeners for depression in the general population. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 57(2), 111-119.

Comments

Source link? I see the citation, which is great, but it's just missing the hyperlink!

Answer 5

This claim is true. While school offers many benefits to adolescents, such as a place to conenct with peers, school can also be a source of stress. Academic pressure and overscheduling can be a significant source of stress, contributing to a variety of mental health issues. The article says that academic demands play a major role in stress levels. The article cites a study based on 15-16 year olds by the International Journal of Adolescence and Youth. They found that 66% felt stressed about poor grades, 55% felt anxious about taking a test even if they were well prepared, and 37% felt tense when studying.

Source: https://www.embarkbh.com/blog/ask-a-therapist-does-going-to-school-cause-depression-or-make-it-worse/#:~:text=While%20school%20offers%20many%20benefits,health%20issues%20including%20teen%20depression.

Answer 6

I agree with this claim and would like to add to it. Mental health is not only increasing during school ages but is also getting worse. According to this study around 2020-2021, more than 60% of college students were meeting the criteria for at least one mental health issue. This data was collected by Healthy Minds study from 373 campuses nationwide. There was another study done through surveys given by the National College Health Assessment, that saw nearly three quarters of students reported moderate or severe psychological distress. 

(National College Health Assessment, American College Health Association, 2021). 

(Lipson, S. K., et al., Journal of Affective Disorders, Vol. 306, 2022).