Teen Support with Mental Health: Understanding the Scope of the Problem

Daphne O
May 12
4 min read

Understanding the Scope of the Problem

Understanding the scope of the problem when it comes to teen mental is a very important topic that shouldn't be dismissed. Teen mental health is a critical issue that has gained increasing attention in recent years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), one in seven adolescents aged 10–19 experiences a mental disorder, making up 13% of the global disease burden in this age group (WHO, 2021). In the United States, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that one in six youth aged 6–17 experiences a mental health condition annually (NAMI, 2023). Furthermore, suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 10–24 (CDC, 2023). That is such an astounding reality to face. It saddens me to know that suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in this age range. This is something that is totally preventable with proper care and treatment.

Why Teens Hesitate to Seek Help

Despite the prevalence of mental health issues, many teens are reluctant to seek help due to stigma, misinformation, and fear. A study by the National Institutes of Health found that societal stigma and a lack of understanding often deter teens from discussing their struggles with others or seeking professional help (NIH, 2020). The fear of being labeled as “weak” or “different” can be paralyzing, especially during a life stage when fitting in and gaining peer acceptance are paramount. My daughter is at the age where she puts a lot of emphasis on what her peers think. Their opinion of her holds a lot of value. She and I continuously have conversations about peer pressure and the importance of knowing her value without having to be validated by her friends. It’s important that we keep having these conversations so that she will not fall into the stigma that seeking help for mental health is a weakness. I want her to know that she can always talk to a trusted adult about any issues that she may be facing.

The Role of Social Media in Teen Mental Health

Social media has become an integral part of teen life, offering both benefits and challenges to mental health. On one hand, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat provide spaces for self-expression, connection, and support. Online communities can help teens feel less isolated, especially when discussing mental health topics and finding like-minded individuals. However, the pervasive use of social media also has its downsides:

Understanding the Scope of the Problem - Comparison and Low Self-Esteem:

Constant exposure to curated and idealized images can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth (APA, 2018).

Cyberbullying:

Negative interactions and online harassment can significantly impact a teen’s mental health (Hinduja & Patchin, 2021).

Sleep Disruption:

Excessive screen time, particularly before bed, is linked to poor sleep quality, which can exacerbate anxiety and depression (Leone & Sigman, 2020).

Pressure to Perform:

The need to maintain an online persona or gain validation through likes and comments can create stress and anxiety (Twenge et al., 2017).

It is essential for parents, educators, and teens themselves to approach social media use mindfully. Encouraging healthy boundaries, promoting digital detoxes, and fostering open discussions about online experiences can mitigate some of these challenges.

The Role of Peer Support

Peers play a pivotal role in supporting teens struggling with mental health. Peer-to-peer programs like Hope Squad have shown success in creating safe environments where teens can talk about their feelings and seek help. These programs train students to recognize warning signs of mental health struggles and encourage them to guide their peers toward trusted adults or professionals (Hope Squad, 2023). By fostering open communication, teens can help normalize conversations around mental health and break down barriers to seeking help.

Encouraging Teens to Seek Help

Normalize Mental Health Conversations:

Encourage teens to share their feelings openly with friends and family. Use non-judgmental language to make these discussions easier.

Promote Trusted Relationships:

Guide teens to identify adults they trust, such as parents, teachers, or school counselors, who can provide support and resources.

Educate About Resources:

Provide information about available mental health resources and the benefits of professional help.

Model Positive Behavior:

Adults and peers should model healthy coping mechanisms and demonstrate that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Resources for Teens

Several organizations offer resources specifically tailored to teens:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (suicidepreventionlifeline.org)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 (crisistextline.org)
The Trevor Project: LGBTQ+ youth support (thetrevorproject.org)
Teen Line: Call or text for teen-specific support (teenline.org)
NAMI: Offers a variety of resources for teens and families (nami.org)

Final Thoughts

Mental health challenges are a reality for many teens, but they don’t have to face these struggles alone. By fostering supportive environments, breaking the stigma, and providing access to resources, we can empower teens to take the first steps toward better mental health. Remember, help is always available, and reaching out is a sign of courage and resilience.

-Daphne Oh

Kay Bea Presents

"Same World, Different Perspective"

References

World Health Organization (WHO). "Adolescent Mental Health." 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). "Mental Health by the Numbers." 2023. https://www.nami.org
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "Youth Risk Behavior Survey." 2023. https://www.cdc.gov
National Institutes of Health (NIH). "Teens and Mental Health: Overcoming Stigma." 2020. https://www.nih.gov
American Psychological Association (APA). "Stress in America: Generation Z." 2018. https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2018/technology-social-media
Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. "Cyberbullying Research Center." 2021. https://cyberbullying.org/research
Leone, M. J., & Sigman, M. "Effects of Technology on Sleep and Mental Health." 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32083948/
Twenge, J. M., et al. "Associations Between Screen Time and Depression Among Adolescents." 2017. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2167702617723376
Hope Squad. "Peer-to-Peer Mental Health Support." 2023. https://hopesquad.com