Have you ever wondered why teens seem so depressed all the time or why they are always on their phones, not socializing? Most teens in the US start developing mental health issues by the time they are 14, and only about half of them receive the social and emotional support they need.
Mental health issues among teenagers began rising significantly around 2010–2012, accelerating sharply through the 2010s before worsening during the COVID-19 pandemic. One in six people aged 10-19 years old struggle with mental health issues due to many reasons. According to the World Health Organization, “Physical, emotional, and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems.” This quote explains that most of the time, mental health problems are caused by abrupt changes in a teen’s life.
Substances can also deteriorate teens’ ability to process their feelings and emotions. Teen substance abuse is one of the main causes of teenage mental health disorders in the US. According to Child Mind Institute, they state, “When teenagers are upset or angry, they often turn to alcohol or drug use to help them manage their feelings. While adults do this too, a teenager’s brain is still developing. So if teens use drugs or alcohol to feel better, they’ll run into problems more quickly than adults.” This quote shows how teen substance and alcohol abuse can lead to later problems in life. This also contributes to teens complex decision-making because their brains are still developing, and they can’t see the harm they are causing in the present for their future.
Media influence can worsen the imbalance between teens’ actual lives and their perceptions or expectations for the future. Other important factors include the quality of their home life and relationships with peers. Violence, harsh parenting, and money problems are recognized risks to mental health.
It is crucial to address the needs of teenagers with mental health conditions. Respecting the rights of children while also providing help to those in need. Some solutions that can offer support to those who need it are therapy, talking to someone who you think might be able to help, or going to a local doctor to recommend a therapist or medicine to help cope and slowly get better.