Standing Desks Improve Mental Health

Depression in Youth

It’s no secret that our society is suffering from a multitude of physical illnesses. However, mental illness has been a hidden secret for many including our children. With the influx of social media, our society is experiencing a surge in mental illness including depression and low self-esteem.

According to Mindwise Innovations, our 1 in 5 of our youth are also impacted:

1. About 20% of young people experience depression in their teen years. Between 10% to 15% of teens have symptoms of depression at any given time.
2. About 30% of teens with depression develop problems with substance abuse.
3. Depression in youth leads to problems at school, running away, low self-esteem, eating disorders, self-injury or disinterest in career or educational opportunities.
4. Three times more female adolescents develop depression than their male counterparts.
5. About 8% of teens suffer with depression for at least a year at a time, compared to the roughly 5% of the general population.
6. On average, 64% of youths with major depression don’t receive mental health treatment. This varies by state from 42% in New Hampshire to 77% in Arkansas.

How do we Help?

How do we help our youth? Of course, there are a plethora of options, but two simple ideas are:

1. Determine Emotional Intelligence. Does your child know how to identify their feelings? Then how to deal with them to address self-motivation and relationship building?
2. Adolescents who are obese are at greater risk of social and psychological problems. According to a 2015 study by Ranjana K. Mehta, standing desks not only help our youth burn more calories but also improve mental health.

Fad or THE Future?

Some may see standing student desks as a fad but there are proven researched benefits – academic and health related. Think about your timid first grader sitting in their desk being looking up at their teacher towering over them. It’s intimidating even though it is not meant to be. Now envision your first grader standing confidently at a standing desk. They now have improved eye to eye contact with their teacher while feeling empowered by their standing position. This not only improves your child’s self-confidence, but their standing desk improves mental health as well.

At SMART Standing Solutions, we are focused on health and well-being for all. While standing desks improve mental health, there are many other resources to help you, your child and family. National Depression Screening Day is October 10^th, 2019. You can take a free, confidential screening at Mental Health America.