Mental Health
15.08% of youth (age 12-17) report suffering from at least one major depressive episode (MDE) in the past year.
Childhood depression is more likely to persist into adulthood if gone untreated.
The number of youth experiencing MDE increased by 306,000 (1.24%) from 2021.
- Mhnational.org
Why is Mental Health Important in Youth?
Poor mental health in adolescence is more than feeling blue. It can impact many areas of a teen's life. Youth with poor mental health may struggle with substance abuse, school and grades, decision making, and their health. Adolescence is a unique and formative time. Physical, emotional and social changes, negative impacts of social media, and poor peer relations can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems and substance abuse, especially teens exposed to poverty, abuse, or violence. Ensuring access to mental health care is critical for their health and well-being during adolescence and adulthood.
Globally, it is estimated that 1 in 7 (14%) 10-19 year-olds experience mental health conditions, yet these remain largely unrecognized and untreated. -World Health Organization
Mental health is important because it can help you to:
Cope with the stresses of life.
Be physically healthy.
Have good relationships.
Make meaningful contributions to your community.
Work productively.
Realize your full potential.
Decrease risk of substance abuse
How to Talk to Your Teen About Mental Health
DO...
Listen. Really listening means stopping the voice in your own head and try to actively pay attention to the person who is speaking. This is hard for everyone, but practice helps!
Ask if they’ve thought about what they might need to get better. If they haven’t, offer to support to listen and talk it out with them. If they have, support them in following through with their needs.
Learn. If they bring you information, read it. Learn as much as possible about your child’s condition and the realities of mental health disorders.
Make sure to keep things confidential, unless it is life threatening.
Normalize. Assure your child that the teenage years are challenging and it’s normal to experience ups and downs. Teenagers go through hormonal changes that can be awkward and it’s ok to feel different during these times.
Offer the opportunity to see a therapist
DON'T...
Minimize how they are feeling or tell them “you shouldn’t think that way.” It’s quite difficult to bring up this conversation, remember that they probably worried over it for some time before coming to you.
Let your emotions rule your response – especially if you’re angry. Negative words (“You’re never gonna get it together, are you?”) can set someone back for a long time and adds to stress and problems. It’s also not uncommon for parents to feel guilt and blame themselves.
Use the word “crazy”.
Tell your child what they SHOULD do; instead, ask what they want you to help them with.
Argue if you encounter resistance from your child. Go back to listening, asking open ended questions and just repeating what they’ve said.
Make excuses or blame others. “This is the school’s fault, they should have given you more individual attention”
Compare your child to their siblings. “Your brother doesn’t have these problems. Why can’t you be more like him?”
Experiencing occasional anxiousness is a normal part of growing up. However, when anxiety becomes chronic and overwhelming, it can interfere with your teen’s development and daily life in significant ways.
If your child shares about bizarre thoughts or asks about strange sounds, PAY ATTENTION and EXPLORE. These experiences are early warning signs of more serious mental health problems. Acting early can change the trajectory of their lives.
