Taryn Dunmars

How many teenagers do you know are battling matters like low self-esteem, chronic stress, negative self-talk, etc? More and more teens are struggling with common mental health problems these days, and if left unaddressed, these issues will continue to rise and worsen.

We can help you provide adolescents with the tools they need to overcome mental health conditions.

Assessment of Common Mental Disorders in Teens

Mental health awareness is very important, and this post sheds light on teenage mental health facts, highlights three common mental disorders teens are facing, and discusses what we can do as a community to help alleviate this significant occurrence.

Anxiety disorders    

Anxiety is one of the leading teen mental health problems in highschoolers. Anxiety conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) or social anxiety, often plague adolescents and follow them into adulthood. Anxiety disorders often interrupt a teen’s life and make it difficult for them to perform everyday tasks, like socializing or taking public transportation.

A recent study conducted by Minnan Normal University found that the more emotional pressure teens experience, the more likely they are to develop anxiety and depression. The journal stated that “in the United States, the average score for stress among teens is rated at 5.8 out of 10 compared to 3.8 out of 10 for adults.”

According to the study, there is evidence that these numbers can be attributed to adversities experienced during childhood, as well as other life stressors, such as school, family issues, or interpersonal relationships. 

When teens do not receive the help they need to overcome anxiety disorders, they open themselves up to a slew of other mental health conditions. Learning the impacts of adolescent emotional pressure can have a positive effect on a teen’s life and mental wellbeing.

Depression

Loss of interest in activities.

Low feelings of self-worth.

Feelings of hopelessness.

Excessive sleepiness. 

Above are some common symptoms of clinical depression, and symptoms that many teens frequently experience. For teens with little knowledge about mental health, depression can feel like a dark cloud that follows them everywhere they go.

Given the stressors teens experience, it’s no surprise that the percentage of teens with mental health issues is growing at an alarming rate.

A 2021 study conducted by the British Psychological Society concluded that 34% of adolescents worldwide, between the ages of 10 and 19, are “at risk of developing clinical depression,” with female adolescents facing more “elevated depressive symptoms” than their male counterparts. The alarming results of this research is indicative of the changes that need to be made for the wellbeing of young learners.

As a consequence of this decline in teen mental health, more schools are increasing mental health education efforts. With practices like classroom social emotional learning, which builds and develops skills like empathy, self-awareness, and conflict-resolution, high school students are better prepared to overcome mental health issues.

There is hope for adolescents battling clinical depression, and together as a community, we can drastically alleviate this issue.

Personality disorders

Personality disorders are becoming more common in teenagers. Conditions like schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive, and antisocial disorders make it very difficult for adolescents to navigate everyday life. 

Frontiers in Psychiatry’s recent journal shared information from their study of personality disorders. The study assessed 115 young adults, from adolescents to childhood, at baseline, then again after the ten-year mark. The decade follow-up results concluded that “prevalence rate for any PD (personality disorder) was 20.0% at baseline and 30.4% at follow-up.”  

As the results conclude, there is more work to be done to support the younger generation who is suffering from mental health problems. Undiagnosed personality disorders can have long-lasting effects on a teen’s mood, behavior, and ultimately, way of life.

With teen mental health awareness and professional help, adolescents have a great chance of prevailing against personality disorders and living a normal life.

How to help a teenager with mental health issues  

Tackling common teen mental health problems doesn’t have to be as daunting as it sounds. Our wellness courses were created to assist high school students in their journeys to mental wellbeing.

By becoming a sponsor of EVERFI’s digital courses, not only is your company making a lasting impact in the community, but it’s also changing students’ lives, one classroom at a time. Click here to learn more about becoming a sponsor.