Stillwater, OK— The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommended last week that all adults under age 65 get screened for anxiety.

Mental health has become a priority for many Americans over the past few years, and the World Health Organization reports that anxiety and depression increased 25 percent worldwide from 2020-21. Earlier this year, the task force also recommended that children and adolescents ages 8 to 18 also be screened for anxiety. The following OSU Extension experts are available to discuss this topic.

• Rachel Morse, mental health educator for Oklahoma State University Extension in Oklahoma County and a 4-H youth development multi-county educator who focuses on youth mental health, said the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force recommendation is an important step for the health care industry in addressing the nation’s mental health crisis. The guidance will help primary care clinicians identify early signs of anxiety during routine care.
• Steve Beck, Oklahoma 4-H program leader, said youth development programs such as 4-H present opportunities to check in with children and teens and offer support should anxiety or mental health issues arise.