2024 Youth Health Behavior Survey. Provided by Ministry of Education
It was found that adolescents’ mental health indicators, such as stress perception rate and depression experience rate, have significantly worsened compared to last year.
According to the results of the ‘2024 Youth Health Behavior Survey’ announced by the Ministry of Education on the 22nd, the stress perception rate of youth in the first year of middle school to the third year of high school this year was 42.3%. This is a 5 percentage point increase from 37.3% last year. It is also the worst figure since 2011 (42%). This is the first time in the youth health behavior survey conducted over the past 20 years that the perceived stress rate increased by more than 5 percentage points compared to the previous year.
The perceived stress rates of both male and female students increased significantly by around 5% points. The rate of perceived stress among male students increased from 30.8% last year to 35.2% this year, and among female students it increased from 44.2% to 49.9% during the same period.
The rate of experiencing depression also increased from 26% last year to 27.7% this year. The rate of experiencing depression increased by 1.7% points and 1.6% points, respectively, for both male (23.1%) and female students (32.5%) compared to last year.
Adolescents’ subjective sleep satisfaction rate also worsened significantly. Last year, 3 out of 10 people (30.6%) responded that ‘the amount of sleep I had during the past 7 days was very sufficient or sufficient to recover from fatigue,’ but this year, this percentage decreased to 27.1%. The decrease in subjective sleep satisfaction rate among female students (-4.7% points) was greater than that of male students (-3.5% points).
In addition, indicators such as the rate of skipping breakfast more than 5 days a week (41.1% → 42.4%) and the rate of eating fast food more than 3 times a week (26.9% → 28.9%) also worsened. On the other hand, the smoking rate (4.2% → 3.6%) and drinking rate (11.1% → 9.7%) are generally decreasing.
Although the government said it would take care of ‘mental health’ and would focus on strengthening mental health, youth mental health appears to have actually worsened. This year, many pointed out that policies that run counter to strengthening youth mental health, such as reducing the number of counselors appointed at schools, are being implemented.
The Youth Health Behavior Survey is a survey conducted on approximately 60,000 middle and high school students from 800 sample schools across the country. It started in 2005 and this year marks its 20th anniversary. The status of health behaviors such as smoking, drinking, physical activity, and eating habits is identified every year and used as basis for establishing youth health promotion policies.
Minister of Education Lee Joo-ho said, “In the future, we will strengthen detailed measures to supplement health indicators that need improvement when promoting related policies such as the basic plan for student health promotion and integrated mental health support measures tailored to students.”
**What specific actions can educators take in the classroom to create a more supportive and inclusive environment for students struggling with mental health challenges, as recommended by Mr. Kim’s firsthand experience?**
## World Today News Interview: Youth Mental Health in Crisis
**Welcome to World Today News. Today we’re discussing the alarming findings of the 2024 Youth Health Behavior Survey, which highlights a worsening mental health crisis among adolescents. Joining us today are Dr. Emily Carter, a leading adolescent psychologist, and Mr. David Kim, a high school teacher with over 15 years of experience.**
**Section 1: The Alarming Trend**
**Host:** Dr. Carter, the survey reveals a significant increase in stress perception and depression among young people. What are your thoughts on these findings, and what factors could be contributing to this downward trend?
**Dr. Carter:**
**(Dr. Carter offers her professional insight into the potential causes. She discusses societal pressures, academic stress, social media influence, changes in family structures, and economic anxieties as possible contributing factors.)**
**Host:** Mr. Kim, as someone on the front lines, working directly with adolescents, have you observed these trends in your classroom? How does it manifest itself in the behavior and well-being of your students?
**Mr. Kim:**
**(Mr. Kim shares his firsthand experiences, providing examples of how stress and mental health issues present themselves in the classroom. He discusses changes in student engagement, attendance, and overall demeanor.)**
**Section 2: Gender Disparities**
**Host:** The survey also shows a widening gap in mental health concerns between male and female students. Dr. Carter, why do you think female students are experiencing higher rates of stress and depression?
**Dr. Carter:**
**(Dr. Carter explores the unique pressures and expectations faced by young women in today’s society. She discusses social pressures related to body image, relationships, academic achievement, and the potential impact of online harassment.)**
**Host:** Mr.Kim, have you noticed any gender-specific differences in how students cope with stress and mental health challenges?
**Mr. Kim:**
**(Mr. Kim shares his observations about the ways boys and girls interact with mental health struggles. He discusses potential barriers to seeking help for each gender.)**
**Section 3: Addressing the Crisis: Policy and Support**
**Host:** Minister of Education Lee Joo-ho stated that the government will strengthen measures to address these health concerns. Dr. Carter, what specific policies do you believe would be most effective in improving adolescent mental health?
**Dr. Carter:**
**(Dr. Carter proposes concrete policy recommendations, such as increased funding for school counselors, mental health education programs, early intervention strategies, and accessible mental health services.)**
**Host:** Mr. Kim, from your perspective as a teacher, what type of support would be most beneficial for students struggling with mental health issues?
**Mr. Kim:**
**(Mr. Kim emphasizes the importance of open communication, creating a supportive school environment, teacher training on identifying warning signs, and timely access to counseling and support services.)**
**Section 4: Looking Ahead**
**Host:** This survey paints a concerning picture. What message do you both have for parents, educators, and policymakers regarding the urgent need to address adolescent mental health?
**(Both guests offer concluding remarks, urging a collaborative effort to prioritize the mental well-being of young people and advocating for systems-level changes to create a supportive and nurturing environment.)**
**Host:** Thank you Dr. Carter and Mr. Kim for sharing your expertise and insights on this critical issue. We hope this discussion raises awareness and encourages action towards building a healthier future for our youth.
