Across the globe, we recognize March 2nd as World Teen Mental Wellness Day.
The focus of this day is to spread awareness of the emotional struggles and mental health issues that teens and adolescents everywhere face and to educate those around them on how to best provide support.
Mental wellness can be described as the state in which an individual responds to life’s ups and downs with resilience, confidence in their own abilities and strives toward productivity in their day-to-day life.
Some people often mistake mental wellness as ‘happiness’ or ‘the absence’ of mental illness, but it is rather a constant balance of coping with stressors and focusing on one’s emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental self.
School Stress and Teen Mental Health
Every individual faces stress, it is a part of life. Stress can come from all aspects of life.
The teenage years are a prime time for new experiences, opportunities and also new challenges.
According to the Worldmetrics Report (2024), about 48% of students reported that they felt a great deal of stress daily. Teens spend a significant amount of their time in school, so it is understandable that many stressors for teens are school related. These stressors include:
- Problems with friends or peers at school
- Unsafe living environment or community
- Constant relocating of schools
- Excessive expectations and pressures
- Negative thoughts and feelings about themselves
- School demands and frustrations
Being overloaded with stress and lacking coping skills or support can lead to depression and other mental health concerns, if left unnoticed or untreated.
Signs of Mental Health Issues in Teens
Many physical, mental and emotional changes occur in teens’ bodies and brains during their adolescent and young adult years. As exciting as those years can be, it may also bring unique challenges and stressors.
Many teens report an increase in feelings of anxiety on a day-to-day basis. Some bit of anxiety and stress that goes away after a short period of time isn’t always bad, it may be the type of ‘good’ stress called eustress.
Sometimes that anxious feeling is the body’s way of staying alert and preparing for an upcoming challenging situation like speaking in front of a crowd or a big performance. Though, when that feeling persists or is so intense that it stops you from doing something, that is when it becomes concerning.
Some emotional and behavioral signs of anxiety and depression in teens include:
- Loss of interest in usually pleasurable activities
- Insomnia or sleeping too much
- Use of alcohol or drugs
- Social isolation
- Poor school performance or frequent absenteeism
- Feeling hopeless or empty
- Extreme irritability, frustration or anger
- Low self-esteem
- Trouble thinking, focusing, remembering and making decisions
- Frequent thoughts of harm or death
A lot of these signs can be difficult to recognize or identify as symptoms of anxiety or depression.
Unfortunately, often these symptoms will not go away on their own. It is important to seek out help for yourself or someone you care about if there are concerns for one’s mental health and safety.
Avoiding Stereotypes of Teen Mental Health
Stereotypes are a way to keep people suffering in silence.
No one knows what it is like to walk in the shoes of someone else, even if you wear the same size. It is important for everyone to make an effort to fight the stereotype of teen mental health.
Teens are young people, but they are people nonetheless and their experiences and feelings should be regarded as such. One of the best things we can do is to educate ourselves and others to be conscious of the language we use, the things we say to people and how we treat and interact with one another.
Even if you cannot fully understand or relate to what someone is going through, you should still show compassion. We do not want to let the stereotype continue to make teens, or anyone, reluctant to seek help when needed.
How to Support Teen Mental Health
Fortunately, there are a lot of things that teens can do to improve and maintain their mental wellness before it spirals out of control.
Journaling, freely or responding to prompts, has been associated with positive mental health outcomes such as reduced anxiety, and an increase in emotional regulation. Finding time to get outside or engage in physical activities can also improve focus, reduce anxiety and ensure a good night’s sleep.
Some other things ton try or recommend to others include:
- Finding a healthy balance between academics, extracurriculars and social activities – Don’t overbook yourself
- Talking to a trusted adult about your feelings
- Trying calming mind-body exercises or meditation
- Limiting screen time and social media usage or going on a “digital detox”
- Reading for pleasure
- Listening to music
- Creating a sleep routine that allows for a good night’s rest
If you are worried about you own mental health or someone else’s, consider these options:
- Never ignore comments, concerns or “jokes” about suicide.
- Contact a mental health professional or use the school’s resources such as a counselor, school therapist or psychologist.
- Join a support group.
- Normalize therapy and counseling and encourage vulnerability.
- Seek help from a healthcare provider and share your concerns. Find your clinician.
- Call a helpline to connect with another young person who shares similar experiences and is prepared to offer information, resources and support – NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Teen & Young Adult Helpline.
- In an emergency – text, call or chat with 988 to speak with Suicide and Crisis Lifeline 24/7.
