A lot of kids and teens have mental health challenges. The problems grew worse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adolescence is when most mental health issues start, especially anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder. Many of these conditions improve with treatment and support from friends, family and services. But some don’t.
Behavioral Changes
As teens go through adolescence, they may experience mood and behavioral changes. While some of these changes are normal, others could be indicative of a mental health condition. Recognizing when a change is “typical” versus potentially concerning can help parents spot a potential problem.
Some of the most common behavioral issues among teenagers include attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and conduct disorder (involving symptoms such as difficulty paying attention or acting without regard to consequences). ADHD is more commonly seen in boys than girls. The disorder can lead to poor school performance and disciplinary problems.
Adolescents are at increased risk for certain mental health conditions because of their living environments, stigma, discrimination, or lack of access to quality support and services. These adolescents include those in humanitarian and fragile settings; those with chronic illness or disability; those who are pregnant, adolescent parents, or living in early or forced marriages; or those from minority ethnic or sexual groups that face discrimination or oppression.
Depression
During adolescence, the brain is growing and making connections in different areas. This can lead to a new way of thinking that can cause worries and sadness. It can also make a person more likely to engage in risky behaviors. This can result in a cycle of strained family relationships, isolation and emotional distress.
Symptoms of depression in young people may include: feeling irritable or angry often, having trouble sleeping, feeling hopeless or worthless and eating more or less than usual. A combination of life events, genetic predispositions and hormones can cause depression in youth.
If you are concerned your teen has depression, talk to their doctor or school counsellor. If they are exhibiting severe symptoms or thoughts of suicide, call the emergency services for young people in your area. Some GPs can refer to children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS). These can be local NHS teams or community-based organisations. These services can help with short-term support, therapy and counselling.
Anxiety
Everyone experiences anxiety at some point, and it’s important to remember that it’s a healthy feeling that alerts us when something is wrong. But when a young person’s anxious feelings become overly intense and persist, they can interfere with their ability to get through the day or function well in school or extracurricular activities.
In addition, adolescents who are flooded with anxiety may experience depression or other mental health problems. This can make things even more confusing and challenging for them.
Sometimes, a health professional will recommend cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy techniques to help a teenager identify and correct his anxiety-provoking thoughts. In some cases, medications will also be used to ease a teenager’s symptoms. These are typically tricyclic antidepressants, such as nortriptyline (Pamelor), imipramine (Tofranil) or doxepin (Sinequan), or the benzodiazepines alprazolam (Xanax) or clonazepam (Klonopin). Teenagers who are prescribed anxiety medications are carefully monitored and should receive therapy in combination with medication. The earlier a teen gets treatment, the sooner he will be able to recover.
Suicide
Suicide is a serious concern for many children and teens. It’s important to recognize warning signs of suicide, such as a change in sleep patterns or a lack of interest in activities that usually bring joy.
Depression, eating disorders and other psychiatric conditions can increase a young person’s risk for suicide. For example, people with schizophrenia may hear voices that seem to tell them to take their own lives. They also might withdraw from social relationships and begin to give away their possessions.
A combination of risk and protective factors affects suicide rates. Research shows that school and community-based programs that focus on creating safe and supportive environments, teaching coping skills and problem solving, and providing gatekeeper training can help reduce youth suicide rates.