As society becomes more aware of the problems that children face during adolescence, we may start to wonder what we can do for teens and their mental health. Many teens are at risk of developing anxiety and/or depression. While there are genetic factors at play, there are things we, as adults, can do to help them through this period of development.
Why are teens so at risk?
There are a variety of factors that really contribute to mental health problems and disorders. This is even more true for teens. Their brains are still developing, making them especially vulnerable to environmental stressors. This can be compounded by genetic factors that may make some teens more predisposed to developing mental health problems more than others.
The environmental stressors are something that also play a large role. Teens are experiencing a life transition where they go from very little autonomy to greater and greater amounts of it. At the same time, they experience an increase in responsibility and expectations. Combine this with social stressors like relationships, dynamics of changing friendships, and interpersonal conflict like bullying, and it’s easy to understand how teens could be at higher risk for mental health problems than people in other age groups.
It’s also important to note that teens are at higher risk of being exposed to drugs, assault, and other forms of violence than they were as children. This can also increase the likelihood of developing a mental health disorder.
What are some common risk factors?
One of the biggest risk factors other than home life and genetics is exposure to drugs and alcohol. Introducing drugs and alcohol to a teen’s developing brain can wreak havoc on their development and mental health. Many drugs also pose other inherent health risks when used, which further puts teens at risk for harm. Health problems, both related and unrelated to drug use, can negatively impact the mental health of anyone. It’s no surprise that teens who are more vulnerable would be at higher risk in this situation.
What are some protective factors?
Protective factors are things we consider that help keep people from developing mental health symptoms or from symptoms becoming severe. Some protective factors for teens include having a supportive friend group, having high self-esteem, and having supportive relationships with adults. The adult can either be an adult at home, at school, or at a friend’s home. One of the best predictors for resiliency in teens is having one stable and supportive relationship with an adult.
What should I look out for?
Usually, the signs we recommend adults be on the lookout for are sudden changes in behavior and personality. Social isolation, for example, isn’t a huge red flag if your child has always been more solitary. However, if your child was regularly socializing and had a consistent friend group, sudden isolation could be a sign that something may be wrong.
Moodiness and changes in emotions are normal for teens, especially those more in the middle of some big hormonal changes and brain changes. However, persistent low mood or emotional dysregulation could be a sign of mental health problems. You may want to check in with your teen if they are frequently sad, tearful, or dysregulated. This is especially true if it’s being paired with other sudden changes, like isolation. These could be signs of depression and should be taken seriously if they persist.
What can I do for my teen?
If you suspect that your teen may be struggling with low mood, anxiety, or other potentially troubling symptoms, talking with your teen is the first step. Sometimes, they may be willing to open up to you about what’s going on. Depending on the severity of their symptoms, it may be needed that you both reach out a therapist to schedule some sessions to hopefully help your teen out more. Medication is also an option for severe depression or anxiety.
