lucadelladora – Mental health professionals across Freeborn County agree that more youth students are facing serious emotional and behavioral issues than ever before. Common concerns include anxiety, depression, and self-harm. These trends are not limited to local schools but reflect growing national and statewide patterns.
The 2022 Minnesota Student Survey revealed an alarming rise in long-term mental health problems among youth. According to the Center for Rural Policy and Development, 45% of girls and 20% of boys reported having dealt with ongoing emotional or behavioral health issues—defined as lasting longer than six months. In 2019, these numbers stood at 35% and 18%, respectively.
Local data from Freeborn County mirrored the state’s findings. Mental health issues became more prevalent with age and were reported significantly more by female students. By 11th grade, over one-third of girls said they had ongoing emotional concerns, compared to fewer than 15% of boys.
Self-Harm and Suicidal Thoughts on the Rise
Of particular concern is the rate of self-harm among younger girls. Nearly one-third of eighth-grade girls admitted to hurting themselves intentionally in the past year. Among 11th graders, that number remained troublingly high at one in four. Boys reported lower but still significant levels of similar behaviors.
When asked about suicidal ideation, one in five eighth-grade girls said they had seriously considered suicide in the previous year. Though percentages dropped in older grades, the pattern underscores a broader mental health crisis.
Youth Mental Health Issues Are Increasing Across Age Groups
Mental health professionals across Freeborn County are reporting troubling increases in anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation issues among youth. Erin Lowe, a licensed clinical social worker, noted that she now diagnoses mental health conditions in children under six years old. Many children face trauma and lack models for processing emotions. Lowe said children are not born knowing how to regulate their emotions—they learn it from adults. Without examples, they struggle.
National data supports these local observations. The U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health found major depressive episodes in teen girls rose by 145% since 2010. For boys, that figure rose 161%. Suicide rates among youth also spiked—up 91% for boys and 167% for girls aged 10–14. Lowe attributes some of this to rising digital exposure since the introduction of front-facing smartphone cameras in 2010, a change that deeply altered teen social dynamics.
Social Media Habits Are Reshaping Youth Identity And Coping
Lowe emphasized that youth today are flooded with curated social media content that distorts reality. What teens view as normal is often a highly filtered snapshot. This distorted perception can lead to self-esteem issues, especially when youth compare their lives to these snippets.
Additionally, excessive screen time cuts into face-to-face interaction and healthy activities. Lowe warned that adolescents increasingly substitute digital engagement for outdoor play, family time, and peer interaction—all crucial for development. Social worker Sheena Possin said phones disrupt sleep, attention spans, and the ability to handle challenges.
Building Skills And Community Support For Emotional Health
Possin and fellow social worker Brittany Roberts said schools now shoulder responsibilities traditionally handled at home, such as teaching coping skills. Anxiety and depression are the most common issues among their students, though some also struggle with addiction.
Roberts noted that while diagnoses are up, so is awareness. Students today are more open to discussing mental health. She credits a post-pandemic push for social-emotional learning and collaboration between school staff and mental health professionals.
Possin praised district leadership for integrating mental health support into student care plans. She said this school-community partnership plays a vital role in helping students thrive.
