China is experiencing a concerning rise in suicide rates among young people in recent years, leading researchers to advocate for the implementation of a specialised programme aimed at addressing the academic pressure they face.

While the absolute numbers may seem relatively small, the statistics reveal a significant increase compared to the declining trend observed across all age groups in the country. This article examines the factors contributing to this surge, highlights the prevalence of mental disorders among students, and emphasises the urgent need for targeted intervention programmes, reported the Fortune.

<h2>Disturbing trends in suicides</h2>

A study conducted by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that the number of suicides among children aged five to 14 has witnessed an annual increase of nearly 10 per cent&nbsp;from 2010 to 2021.

Similarly, suicide rates among individuals aged 15 to 24 experienced a decline of 7 per cent&nbsp;until 2017, followed by a sharp rise of almost 20 per cent over the next four years.

These statistics stand in stark contrast to the overall suicide rate in the country, which decreased by 5.3 per cent annually during the same period, thanks to a nationwide mental health program.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/data-lab-chinas-job-crisis-and-the-curse-of-35-why-are-people-afraid-of-that-age-613006">Data Lab | China's job crisis and 'the curse of 35’: Why are people afraid of that age?</a>

<h2>The impact of academic pressure</h2>

Researchers have identified intense competition in the educational sphere as a significant cause of mental distress and elevated suicide risks among children and adolescents in China.

A national survey conducted in 2022 revealed that half of the individuals diagnosed with depressive disorder in the country were students. The relentless pursuit of academic success has taken a toll on their mental well-being, necessitating immediate attention and effective interventions.

<h2>Urgent call for targeted programmes</h2>

In response to the alarming increase in youth suicides, the researchers have urged the government to prioritise the development of programs specifically tailored to children and adolescents.

They emphasise the importance of adopting best practices from other countries and implementing early identification strategies to detect suicidal behaviour promptly.

Addressing mental health concerns and providing adequate support systems for young individuals should be at the forefront of the government's agenda.

Also watch |&nbsp;Volkswagen ready to act amid China metal export curbs

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<h2>Exacerbating factors</h2>

China's youth has long been entrenched in fierce competition, driven by the desire to excel academically and secure promising job prospects upon graduation.

The COVID-19 pandemic, which spanned three years and included intermittent lockdowns across the country, further intensified the pressure on young people.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-increase-in-tensions-us-renews-audit-inspection-of-chinese-firms-report-613032">Amid increase in tensions, US renews audit inspection of Chinese firms: Report</a>

College campuses, in particular, faced numerous restrictions and disruptions, compounding the stress and uncertainty experienced by students. Additionally, record levels of youth unemployment have added to the existing challenges, amplifying the sense of hopelessness and desperation.

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China is experiencing a concerning rise in suicide rates among young people in recent years, leading researchers to advocate for the implementation of a specialised programme aimed at addressing the academic pressure they face.

China is experiencing a concerning rise in suicide rates among young people in recent years, leading researchers to advocate for the implementation of a specialised programme aimed at addressing the academic pressure they face. While the absolute numbers may seem relatively small, the statistics reveal a significant increase compared to the declining trend observed across all age groups in the country. This article examines the factors contributing to this surge, highlights the prevalence of mental disorders among students, and emphasises the urgent need for targeted intervention programmes, reported the Fortune. Disturbing trends in suicides A study conducted by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention has shown that the number of suicides among children aged five to 14 has witnessed an annual increase of nearly 10 per cent from 2010 to 2021. Similarly, suicide rates among individuals aged 15 to 24 experienced a decline of 7 per cent until 2017, followed by a sharp rise of almost 20 per cent over the next four years. These statistics stand in stark contrast to the overall suicide rate in the country, which decreased by 5.3 per cent annually during the same period, thanks to a nationwide mental health program. Also read | Data Lab | China's job crisis and 'the curse of 35’: Why are people afraid of that age? The impact of academic pressure Researchers have identified intense competition in the educational sphere as a significant cause of mental distress and elevated suicide risks among children and adolescents in China. A national survey conducted in 2022 revealed that half of the individuals diagnosed with depressive disorder in the country were students. The relentless pursuit of academic success has taken a toll on their mental well-being, necessitating immediate attention and effective interventions. Urgent call for targeted programmes In response to the alarming increase in youth suicides, the researchers have urged the government to prioritise the development of programs specifically tailored to children and adolescents. They emphasise the importance of adopting best practices from other countries and implementing early identification strategies to detect suicidal behaviour promptly. Addressing mental health concerns and providing adequate support systems for young individuals should be at the forefront of the government's agenda. Also watch | Volkswagen ready to act amid China metal export curbs Exacerbating factors China's youth has long been entrenched in fierce competition, driven by the desire to excel academically and secure promising job prospects upon graduation. The COVID-19 pandemic, which spanned three years and included intermittent lockdowns across the country, further intensified the pressure on young people. Also read | Amid increase in tensions, US renews audit inspection of Chinese firms: Report College campuses, in particular, faced numerous restrictions and disruptions, compounding the stress and uncertainty experienced by students. Additionally, record levels of youth unemployment have added to the existing challenges, amplifying the sense of hopelessness and desperation. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Breaking point: Chinese youth face alarming surge in suicides as academic pressure takes its toll

A new nationally representative study, in the US, found that one in four adults aged 20-39 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had a generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). 
 
The study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Those with ADHD were four times more likely to have GAD at some point in their life when compared to those without ADHD.&nbsp; 
 
Even after controlling for other relevant factors, including sociodemographics, adverse childhood experiences, and a lifetime history of substance use disorders and major depressive disorders, those with ADHD still had more than double the odds of GAD." These findings underline how vulnerable adults with ADHD are too generalized anxiety disorders," says lead author Esme Fuller-Thomson, professor at the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and Director of the Institute for Life Course and Aging. 
 
"There are many studies linking adult ADHD to depression and suicidality, but less attention has been paid to generalized activity disorders and other adverse outcomes across the life course." 
 
The study identified several factors that were associated with GAD among those with ADHD. Female respondents with ADHD had nearly five times higher odds of GAD, even after controlling for other covariates." 
 
ADHD has been severely underdiagnosed and undertreated in girls and women," says co-author Andie MacNeil, a recent Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate from the University of Toronto.&nbsp; 
 
"These findings suggest that women with ADHD may also be more susceptible to experiencing anxiety, emphasizing the need for greater support for women with ADHD." 
 
Adults who had experienced adverse childhood experiences such as childhood sexual or physical abuse or chronic parental domestic violence were three times more likely to have a generalized anxiety disorder. Sixty per cent of those with ADHD who had anxiety disorders had experienced at least one of these adverse childhood experiences. 
Other factors associated with GAD among adults with ADHD include having an income below USD 40,000, having fewer close relationships, and having a lifetime history of major depressive disorder.&nbsp; 
 
The odds of GAD among those with ADHD were six-fold for those with a lifetime history of major depressive disorder."These results highlight the importance of screening for mental illness and addressing depressive symptoms when providing support to those with ADHD," said Lauren Carrique, a recent graduate of the University of Toronto`s MSW program who is a social worker at Toronto General Hospital. "Individuals experiencing ADHD, GAD, and depression is a particularly vulnerable subgroup that may need targeted outreach by health professionals." 
 
Investigators examined a nationally representative sample of 6,898 respondents from the Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health aged 20-39, of whom 272 had ADHD and 682 had GAD. Unfortunately, the researchers did not have access to information on what treatments, if any, respondents with ADHD were receiving to address their anxiety.&nbsp; 
 
One particularly promising talk-based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, also called CBT, has been shown to be very effective for improving anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms." 
 
It is crucial that those with ADHD who are struggling with mental health issues reach out for help from their family doctor or other mental health professionals including social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists. Effective treatments, such as CBT, are available and these can dramatically improve one`s quality of life", said Fuller-Thomson

A new nationally representative study, in the US, found that one in four adults aged 20-39 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had a generalised anxiety disorder (GAD).

A new nationally representative study, in the US, found that one in four adults aged 20-39 with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) had a generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). The study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. Those with ADHD were four times more likely to have GAD at some point in their life when compared to those without ADHD. Even after controlling for other relevant factors, including sociodemographics, adverse childhood experiences, and a lifetime history of substance use disorders and major depressive disorders, those with ADHD still had more than double the odds of GAD." These findings underline how vulnerable adults with ADHD are too generalized anxiety disorders," says lead author Esme Fuller-Thomson, professor at the University of Toronto's Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and Director of the Institute for Life Course and Aging. "There are many studies linking adult ADHD to depression and suicidality, but less attention has been paid to generalized activity disorders and other adverse outcomes across the life course." The study identified several factors that were associated with GAD among those with ADHD. Female respondents with ADHD had nearly five times higher odds of GAD, even after controlling for other covariates." ADHD has been severely underdiagnosed and undertreated in girls and women," says co-author Andie MacNeil, a recent Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate from the University of Toronto. "These findings suggest that women with ADHD may also be more susceptible to experiencing anxiety, emphasizing the need for greater support for women with ADHD." Adults who had experienced adverse childhood experiences such as childhood sexual or physical abuse or chronic parental domestic violence were three times more likely to have a generalized anxiety disorder. Sixty per cent of those with ADHD who had anxiety disorders had experienced at least one of these adverse childhood experiences. Other factors associated with GAD among adults with ADHD include having an income below USD 40,000, having fewer close relationships, and having a lifetime history of major depressive disorder. The odds of GAD among those with ADHD were six-fold for those with a lifetime history of major depressive disorder."These results highlight the importance of screening for mental illness and addressing depressive symptoms when providing support to those with ADHD," said Lauren Carrique, a recent graduate of the University of Toronto`s MSW program who is a social worker at Toronto General Hospital. "Individuals experiencing ADHD, GAD, and depression is a particularly vulnerable subgroup that may need targeted outreach by health professionals." Investigators examined a nationally representative sample of 6,898 respondents from the Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health aged 20-39, of whom 272 had ADHD and 682 had GAD. Unfortunately, the researchers did not have access to information on what treatments, if any, respondents with ADHD were receiving to address their anxiety. One particularly promising talk-based therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, also called CBT, has been shown to be very effective for improving anxiety, depression, and ADHD symptoms." It is crucial that those with ADHD who are struggling with mental health issues reach out for help from their family doctor or other mental health professionals including social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists. Effective treatments, such as CBT, are available and these can dramatically improve one`s quality of life", said Fuller-Thomson

Adults with ADHD four times more likely to have generalised anxiety disorder: Study

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Breaking point: Chinese youth face alarming surge in suicides as academic pressure takes its toll

Adults with ADHD four times more likely to have generalised anxiety disorder: Study