Whether it’s financial worries, the pressure to succeed or a sense that the world is falling apart, young people have a lot on their minds. And the impact of these concerns on their mental health can be severe.
New data and trends show that a growing number of youth are struggling with mental health challenges. Learn how to better support them.
Stress
Adolescence is a time of high stress due to changes in hormones, worries about fitting in with peers and pressures related to sex and drugs. Unhealthy stress can lead to anxiety, mood disorders and a lack of self-esteem.
Children and teenagers can learn healthy ways to cope with stress, including exercise, getting enough sleep and spending time with friends. Parents can model these skills and encourage open communication about feelings.
States need a robust crisis response system to ensure there is always someone to call and help for youth facing mental health challenges, with a special emphasis on suicide prevention and de-escalation training. States need to build a strong partnership with community organizations, school districts and healthcare providers. States should also support efforts to expand access to comprehensive, affordable mental health care.
Anxiety
Anxiety can take on many forms. It might manifest as a feeling of fear or worry that is excessive and irrational, feelings of unease or tension, or physical symptoms like stomachache, headaches or dizziness.
As children develop, they are often more likely to focus on the external world – creepy bugs or boogeymen – but as teens enter adolescence their anxiety tends to shift to internal issues like self-image and body-image, academic performance or social interactions. These worries can lead to school refusal, a decline in grades and other problems that can have lifelong impacts.
It is important to help young people understand that while certain circumstances may be anxiety-provoking, it is also a normal part of growing up and can be overcome with practice and support. Encourage them to spend time outside of screens and engage in extracurricular activities, which can help boost their mental health.
Depression
Feeling sad or moody sometimes is a normal part of adolescence. But when a young person feels miserable most of the time, it can be a sign that they have depression. Depression is a serious illness that affects mental health and quality of life. It can also increase the risk of suicide.
Depression can cause feelings of hopelessness, sadness and worthlessness. It can also make it hard to sleep or eat.
Encourage your teen to talk about their feelings with someone they trust, like a parent, teacher, school counsellor or family member. They can also visit a doctor to learn more about depression and how it is treated. They may be prescribed a medication or given psychotherapy (talking therapy). Sometimes both are needed to help a young person recover from depression.
Addictions
Addiction is a complex disease that affects everyone differently, including teens. Teens are at higher risk for substance abuse than adults, and many teens use drugs to cope with emotional pain or stress. Teens can also be more susceptible to peer pressure and may be influenced by popular culture, which often glamourizes drug use.
People are often confused about what defines addiction, believing that it only applies to substances such as alcohol or drugs. However, it is possible to be addicted to behavioral behaviors such as sex, gambling or video gaming. Those struggling with behavioral addictions experience a similar high as those who are addicted to substances, but are not physically dependent on chemicals. Addictions often co-occur with mental health conditions, and it is important for teens to seek help when they need it.
Trauma
Trauma is often a hidden cause of mental health problems. Young people experiencing trauma are not always able to talk about it, and it can be hard for others to understand.
PTSD symptoms can be misinterpreted as behavioural or substance use problems. Adolescents with PTSD frequently have co-occurring disorders and may exhibit difficulty regulating their emotions. In addition, they tend to engage in behaviors that reduce tension or distress, such as avoidance and self-medicating.
Some young people are at greater risk of being exposed to traumatic experiences, including those in out-of-home care, those involved with the justice system, those who are homeless or living in refugee families and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander youth. They may also be affected by vicarious trauma, which occurs when someone experiences a traumatic event through the actions of their friends or family.