As today’s teens and adolescents face growing pressures, it’s now more relevant than ever to understand the importance of good mental health. Many young people find themselves struggling with their mental well-being due to a wide range of factors, such as family dynamics, school stressors, or an inability to effectively manage their emotions. These and other adverse factors can ultimately lead some teens to develop serious mental health concerns, like depression or anxiety.
The teenage years can be an emotionally strenuous time for both parents and their children. These struggles can lead to serious mental health concerns that need specialized attention. It’s essential for adults who are helping young people navigate their teen years to understand teen mental health statistics, common problems associated with mental health struggles, and potential solutions to get your teen back on track toward healthy development overall.
In this article, we’ll take a deeper look into teen mental health and teen mental health statistics. We’ll explore common mental health concerns experienced by teens, as well as provide helpful resources available to you if your adolescent is struggling emotionally or mentally.
If your child is experiencing mental health concerns, embrace U can help! An adolescent mental health clinic in Brentwood, TN, our programs provide you, your teen, and your family with the tools and support needed to help your teen heal and thrive! Call us today to learn more about our Brentwood IOP for teen mental health.
Teen Mental Health Risk Factors
During adolescence, teens learn critical life skills, including how to communicate with others, how to develop good coping and problem-solving skills, and how to manage their emotions. For some, this is a process that comes naturally and smoothly. For others, acquiring these life skills can be difficult and challenging.
There are several risk factors that can cause teens to struggle with developing healthy coping skills and the ability to regulate their emotions effectively. These include:
- A family history of mental illness
- Changes in the home dynamics or environment’s
- Experiencing bullying or abuse of any kind
- Involvement with drugs and alcohol
Because a teen’s brain is still growing and developing, experiencing these risk factors can lead some teens to develop a mental health condition that can adversely affect their quality of life, well into adulthood.
Mental Health Facts for Teens
Data from the National Center for Children in Poverty show that 20% of adolescents have a diagnosable mental health issue. In fact, teen mental health statistics show that 20% to 30% of teenagers will experience one major depressive struggle before they enter adulthood. Also, up to 75% of adults with anxiety struggles developed these illnesses during their teen years.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also notes the following statistics on teenage mental health:
- Depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents
- One in seven children ages 10 to 18 years will experience symptoms related to a mental health challenge
- Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among those between the ages of 15 and 29 years
These alarming statistics on teen mental health highlight the importance of detecting mental health concerns in teenagers as early as possible and finding specialized treatment geared toward adolescents. The consequences of failing to address teen mental health struggles extend into adulthood and can impair both physical and mental health, ultimately limiting opportunities for some teenagers to lead fulfilling lives as adults.
Common Teen Mental Health Struggles
Teens and adolescents can experience a variety of mental health conditions and symptoms. One of the most common mental health concerns in adolescents is anxiety. Teen mental health statistics provided by WHO indicates that 4% of 10–14-year-olds and 5% of 15–19-year-olds regularly experience symptoms related to anxiety, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and phobias. Another common teen mental health concern is depression. Depression is the second most common teen mental health condition, with an estimated 13% of U.S. teens currently affected.
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is another mental health concern that commonly affects teens. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently estimates that nearly 7 million children aged 3-18 years are diagnosed with the condition. ADHD can often lead to the development of other mental health concerns, such as depression or anxiety. Trusted mental health professionals who specialize in the treatment of these common teen mental health struggles, like our mental health professionals at our Brentwood IOP, can help address the underlying cause of your teen’s struggles and help them live happy, healthy, productive lives.
How You Can Help Your Teen Struggling with Mental Health Concerns
If your teen is struggling with a mental health condition, don’t worry. You’re not alone. And there are many avenues of help and support available. First, it’s important to educate yourself on your adolescent’s mental health. Talk to your local mental health specialist or research information from reputable sources online, like the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), mentalhealth.gov, or the Youth Mental Health Project. When you arm yourself with knowledge, you can better help your teen.
It’s also essential to be supportive. Take time to listen to your teen and be patient. Hear what they have to say and be sure to respond without judgment. Your support could really make a difference. Most importantly, seek professional help for your teen if you both feel it would be beneficial. There are treatment programs available that focus on the unique needs of teens and adolescents experiencing mental health concerns, like embrace U.
Located in Brentwood, TN, embrace U is an intensive outpatient treatment program specifically designed for young people aged 10-18 years. As an IOP, our mental health clinic in Brentwood gives participants and their families the support they need through individual, group, and family therapy. Our program will help adolescents develop good coping skills, stronger self-esteem, and better ways to communicate. With the help of our experienced treatment team, you and your teen can overcome mental health struggles and grow stronger together!
Does your teen need help? Call embrace U today!