Based on Science

Poor mental health is detrimental to the development and well-being of children. According to the CDC (2019), in 2019, 13.6% of children aged 5-17 years in the U.S. had received mental health treatment within a 12-month period. The CDC data also submits that older children (aged 12–17 years) are more likely than younger children (aged 5–11 years) to have received any mental health treatment. From a global perspective, the World Health Organization (2021) reports that one in seven 10-19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in this age group. The leading causes of disability and illness among adolescence are anxiety, depression and behavioral disorders (WHO, 2021). A child’s adolescence, the transitional stage from childhood to adulthood, is a crucial period for developing emotional (i.e., coping, problem solving) and personal habits (i.e., interpersonal skills, regular exercise, positive sleeping habits) important for mental well-being (WHO, 2021).

Yoga is a holistic system of physical postures to promote wellbeing, strength, flexibility, and mobility. It incorporates breathing exercises to enhance respiratory function, relaxation poses that focus on reducing tension and stress, and meditation/mindfulness practices to . . . full published article can be found at the link below

James-Palmer et al. (2020) clarify that anxiety can be characterized by excessive worry and fear which may manifest itself with disparate worrisome thoughts, muscle tension, elevated heart rate along with other somatic (i.e., bodily) disturbances. These disturbances can negatively impact a child’s school performance (James-Palmer et al., 2020). James-Palmer et al. continue, noting that . . . full published article can be found at the link below 

Symptoms of depression may be present in children that do not have a clinical diagnosis. Therefore, a larger number of children very likely cope with symptoms of depression in their daily lives. Depression manifests itself in children with poor academic performance, perhaps a phobia of school and developmental behavior problems (Aurora et al., 2020). Children with depression also exhibit . . . full published article can be found at the link below

Stress is described as “a state of threatened or perceived as threatened homeostasis.” An increasing number of students, in elementary and secondary education, suffer from stress-related disorders and illnesses (Zisopoulou and Varvogli 2023). In fact, Zisopoulou and Varvogli submit that approximately 35% of children in America experience stress-related health problems. One of the most common stress-related health is . . .full published article can be found at the link below

According to the CDC (2023), mental health includes children’s mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being. Mental health affects how children feel, think, and act. A child's mental health will contribute to how she/he handles stress, relates to others, and makes healthy choices in daily life (CDC, 2023). James-Palmer et al. (2020) cite survey data demonstrating that 80% of children 6-17 years old who were defined as needing mental healthcare did not receive it. This is largely due to parental barriers to mental healthcare that include cultural barriers, cost, transportation and access to mental healthcare providers (James-Palmer et al. (2020).

Yoga is increasingly being used in schools for youth social and emotional development and learning. Many schools have added Yoga to . . . full published article can be found at the link below

In their systematic review, James-Palmer et al. (2020) describe the characteristics of Yoga interventions (specific for anxiety and depression) for children. We reviewed all of these studies to . . . full published article can be found at the link below 

 Aurora, J-P, Anderson, E.Z., Zucker, L., et al. (2020). Yoga as an Intervention for the Reduction of Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 8 (article 78). doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.00078

Butzer, B., Day, D., Potts, A. et al. (2015). Effects of a Classroom-Based Yoga Intervention on Cortisol and Behavior in Second- and Third-Grade Students: A Pilot Study, Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 20(1): 41–49

CDC. (2019). Mental Health Treatment among Children Aged 5 to 17 Years. United States, 2019. Accessed November 16, 2023 https://vizhub.healthdata.org/gbd-results/

Centeio, E.E., Whalen, L., Thomas, E., Kulik, N. and McCaughtry, N. (2017) Using Yoga to Reduce Stress and Bullying Behaviors among Urban Youth. Health, 9, 409-424. https://doi.org/10.4236/health.2017.93029

Galantino, M.L., Balbavy, R., Quinn, L. (2008). Therapeutic effects of yoga for children: A systematic review of the literature. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 20:66 –80.

James-Palmer A, Anderson EZ, Zucker L, Kofman Y, et al. (2020). Yoga as an Intervention for the Reduction of Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 8:78. doi: 10.3389/fped.2020.00078

World Health Organization (WHO). (2021). Mental health of adolescents. Accessed Nov. 16, 2023: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health

Wehry, A.M., Beesdo-Baum, K. Hennelly, M.M. et al. (2015). Assessment and treatment of anxiety disorders in children and adolescents. Current Psychiatry Reports, 17(7): 591. doi:10.1007/s11920-015-0591-z

Zisopoulou, T. and Varvogli, L. (2023). Stress management methods in children and adolescents: Past, present, and future, Hormone Research in Pediatrics, 96, 97-107.