Teens

Mental Health Risk Factors for Teens

8. The desire for greater autonomy and pressure to conform with peers contribute to mental health issues for teens (WHO, 2019)
   https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health
9. Exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence can make teens more vulnerable to mental health conditions (WHO, 2019)
   https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health

How the Body and Brain Interact and Impact Mental Health in Teens

(NIMH, 2020) https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-7-things-to-know/index.shtml

16. Teens may be vulnerable to mental health issues, but their brains are flexible and resilient, allowing most teens to go on to become healthy adults despite mental health challenges
17. Mindfulness—or the act of refocusing the brain on the present moment—can be a helpful tool to combat anxiety and depression.
18. A full and restful night’s sleep is essential to mental health. Teens need more sleep than adults and children. It may be inconvenient, but teen’s natural rhythms make them alert late at night and sleepy in the morning. Still–9-10 hours are recommended when possible.
19. Most teens do not get enough sleep, which can increase difficulty focusing, irritability, and depression.
20. The brain continues to mature through adolescence and into a person’s mid-20s. The pre-frontal cortex, which controls planning, prioritizing, and controlling impulses, is one of the last areas of the brain to fully develop. This means that teens are more prone to risky behavior.

What Teens Think of Mental Health

25. Teens and young people often feel afraid to reach out to mental health professionals, especially to disclose suicidal thoughts. (Hart, Mason, Kelly, 2016)
26. Many teens have stigmatizing views of mental illness, and attribute symptoms to personal weakness instead of mental health challenges. Such beliefs prevents teens from seeking help. This is damaging and shows we need to teach teens about mental health in new ways! (Hart, Mason, Kelly, 2016)
27. A teen’s decision to seek professional help is largely based on the attitudes and support of their peers. (Hart, Mason, Kelly, 2016)
28. Many teens experiencing mental illness prefer to get help from their peers over adults. That means it is important teens are equipped and educated to offer support when their friends reach out. (Hart, Mason, Kelly, 2016)

Trauma Responses (betterhealth.vic.gov.au, 2020)

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/ Depression-in-young-people

30. Teens may be deeply affected by local, national, or international tragedies. When an event threatens our own safety or the safety of others it can be considered a trauma event.
31. Experiencing trauma can interrupt a person’s daily functioning and cause high levels of physical, emotional, and psychological distress. Expressions of such stress can look different in teens than in children or adults.
32. Teens may be more likely to act disrespectfully or disruptively and feel a sense of guilt at not having been able to prevent the traumatic event. (NIMH, 2019)
    https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd/index.shtml
33. Teens may hide their feelings after a traumatic event for many reasons, including wanting to be perceived as strong, not wanting to worry their parents, or needing more time alone to process the event.
34. If you or a friend has experienced a traumatic event, such as death of a loved one, witnessing violence, or a natural disaster, take notice of any of the following symptoms and seek help:

• Feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety, or guilt
• Overreacting to minor irritations
• Ruminating on the traumatic event and talking about it often
• Disturbed sleep patterns
• Withdrawing from family and friends, wanting to spend more time alone
• Becoming extra protective of loved ones
• Acting younger by ignoring responsibilities or becoming rebellious
• Increased need for independence
• Self-absorption and caring only about what is immediately important
• Loss of interest in school, friends, hobbies, and life in general
• Pessimistic outlook on life, being cynical and distrusting of others
• Depression and feelings of hopelessness
• Difficulties with short-term memory, concentration and problem solving.

How To Help A Friend

(NAMI, 2020) https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Teens-Young-Adults/How-to-Help-a-Friend

40. If you notice changes in their behavior or mood, share your concerns and ask if they’d like to talk.

• “I notice you never eat lunch with us anymore. Is everything okay?”
• “It makes me afraid to hear you talk this way. Let’s talk with someone about it”

1. Know that you don’t have to have the answers or the exact right response. Just listen and offer your support. (Helpguide.org, 2019)
2. If your friend is not ready to talk with you, ask if there are other ways to help

• “Can I help you set up a meeting with a counselor?”
• “Can I help you with some chores you need to get done until you’re feeling better?”
• “Do you need a ride to any of your appointments?”

43. Check in regularly. Send your friend a call or text a couple times a week to see how they’re doing.
44. Include your friend in plans, even if they don’t always come. Mental illness can make hard to go out and have fun, but your friend will appreciate being invited.
45. Stick with your friend through hard times. Mental illness can make a person lash out or ditch plans. Your friend is going through a hard time though, so try not to take it personally.
46. Learn about mental health conditions so you can better understand your friend.
47. Don’t use judgmental language like “get over it” or “it’s no big deal.” Instead, reassure your friend that you are here for them and that they will get through this.
48. Tell a trusted adult if your friend is suicidal. (Helpguide.org, 2019)
49. Get help for yourself! Seeing a friend go through a hard time can be emotionally tough. Reach out to a trusted adult or a peer who you can talk with too.
50. Know the resources available and share them with your friend!