One of the most prominent things teens struggle with is mental health. Approximately one in five teens (ages 12-18) suffer from at least one mental health disorder. There are many types of mental health issues that a person can struggle with. The most common mental illnesses are anxiety, mood disorders, and behavior disorders.
Facts About Teens and Mental Health
- Approximately 20% of teens have a diagnosable mental health disorder
- Many mental health disorders first present during teenage years
- Between 20% and 30% of teens have one major depressive episode before they reach adulthood
- Between 50% and 75% of teens with anxiety disorders develop these during their teen years
Causes of Mental Health Issues:
- Childhood abuse, trauma, or neglect.
- Social isolation or loneliness.
- bereavement(losing someone close to you)
- Having a long-term physical health condition
How to Help a Teen with Mental Health:
- Listen
Simply giving someone space to talk, and listening to their feelings, can be really helpful in itself.
- Offer reassurance
Seeking help can feel lonely, and sometimes scary. You can reassure someone by letting them know that they are not alone and that you will be there to help.
- Stay calm
Even though it might be upsetting to hear that someone you care about is distressed, try to stay calm.
- Be patient
You might want to know more details about their thoughts and feelings or want them to get help immediately, but it is best to stay patient and try to help when needed.
Thank you for reading Canes! Remember we all have feelings and we all deal with things that we don’t want to share, but if you are struggling with any kind of mental health issues, chat with an adult or school counselor. They are here to help!
