Adolescence is a time when problems such as anxiety and depression, delinquent behavior, and physical or verbal aggression tend to emerge. Psychologists are working to address this crisis with new research, improved policies, and targeted efforts to help kids and their families.
They must walk a tightrope between individualising conceptions of mental health and addressing its social conditions.
Adolescence
Adolescence is a time of significant physical, behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and social changes. Adolescents often experience mental illnesses such as anxiety, mood, and attention disorders. These can interfere with their schoolwork, their relationships and even lead to self-harm or suicide.
They can also develop patterns of behavior that will affect their health for the rest of their lives – for example, sleep and diet habits. This is when they start to establish the morals and values that they will hold throughout their life.
Often, teenagers will feel like their life is on stage and other people’s attention is constantly focused on them. This is normal adolescent development but can become unhealthy if it appears to be paranoia, excessive love (narcissism) or hysteria. The key is to build their confidence, encourage them to think independently and help them learn healthy coping skills. They need to know that their efforts are appreciated. They need to have a clear picture of their strengths and weaknesses.
Adolescent Development
Adolescents need safe, supportive environments to thrive. Adults can help by encouraging positive relationships, and by minimizing access to weapons and other means of self-harm. They can also watch for warning signs of distress and respond appropriately, ensuring that adolescents receive appropriate care and treatment when needed.
As children enter adolescence, they undergo major biological and psychological changes. They learn more about the world around them, try new activities, and develop more complex and diverse relationships. They may also face stressors like academic pressure, financial challenges, negative social comparisons, and the effects of bullying or violence. These issues can lead to mental health challenges such as depression or anxiety. The good news is that the science of adolescent development has made great strides. However, we must increase investment in research to meet the surgeon general’s call to action for youth mental health.
Adolescent Mental Health
Mental health disorders can have serious, lifelong impacts on adolescent mental and physical well-being. They often go untreated, leading to unhealthy coping behaviors, isolation, and negative views of the world.
Psychologists are focusing on increasing public awareness of these issues. They are also working to expand school-based mental health programs, implement trauma-informed care practices, and support evidence-based interventions.
Addressing these needs requires a comprehensive approach that includes prevention and promotion, targeted treatment services, and family-centered supports. It also requires a focus on the unique needs of at-risk youth, including racial/ethnic minority youth, foster youth, and those involved with the juvenile justice system, and elevating their voices in policy development and implementation. Efforts must be made to eliminate barriers that prevent families from accessing care, such as stigma and economic limitations. Ensure that all children have access to high-quality, affordable mental health care. Increase investment in social and emotional learning in early childhood and school settings.
Adolescent Suicide
The suicide rate among adolescents fluctuates, but is lower than rates for every older age group. Adolescents with mental health problems are at increased risk for suicidal behaviors and are more likely to attempt them. Policy measures such as school-based interventions, reduced access to lethal means, promoting programs for community and peer support, and improved screening may theoretically reduce suicides among youth.
Trauma centers need to understand the epidemiology, risk factors and warning signs of suicide in their adolescent patients. In addition, they need to know how to screen adolescent trauma patients for suicide and depression.
Lived-experience experts interviewed adolescent survivors of suicide. Interviews were conducted by two child and adolescent psychiatrists and one social worker who all had personal experience with adolescent suicide. The interviews were semi-structured, with a discussion guide. The participants were encouraged to talk freely and openly about their experiences. Many described how well-organized postvention for peers and professionals shortly after a tragedy helped them cope with their losses.