Mental illness, and the symptoms of mental illness, can present at a very young age. It’s often overlooked and not adequately addressed. Fifty percent of all cases of mental illness symptoms emerge prior to the age of 14 and 75% of symptoms are present by the age of 24. Having mental health symptoms, especially when they present at a young age, can have an impact on a young person’s ability to function. It can alter their trajectory and where they end up as they become adults. Experiencing signs and symptoms of mental illness can also impact the ability to learn, which is so crucial for our young people.
In addition to that, ongoing symptoms of mental illness that present at a young age can result in people engaging in more problematic or disruptive behaviors that have a negative impact on that person’s life. It’s really important for us to have these conversations about mental illness, especially as it pertains to young people, so we can ensure that our young people stay on a healthy and positive trajectory toward becoming productive and happy adults.
Dr. Christine M. Crawford is an adult, child and adolescent psychiatrist and the Associate Medical Director for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. She is the Director of Medical Student Education and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Crawford is also a part of Wellness and Recovery After Psychosis (WRAP) where she provides psychiatric care for adolescents experiencing symptoms of psychosis. She has authored multiple book chapters on mental health disparities and sociocultural issues within psychiatry as well as made appearances on a number of media outlets where she has discussed various topics within mental health.