Teenagers And Teenager Mental Health Articles

Clinically Review By: Corey Pitts, MA, LCMHCS, LPC, LCAS, CCS

What is teen mental health, and why does it matter?

Teenage years can present numerous transition-related stressors, ranging from emotional adversities to navigating interpersonal dynamics. Teen mental health refers to how a teen between the ages of 13 and 19 thinks, feels, and copes with this developmental stage. It shapes how they handle stress, relationships, school, and everything in between.

Adolescence is a key time for development, and it's also when many mental health conditions first show up. Research suggests nearly 50% of teens may experience a mental health disorder at some point. So mental health is every bit as important as physical health for high schoolers or young adults.

If you're a teenager experiencing certain mental health adversities, or a parent with concern regarding potential mental health disparities, support is available.

What are common teen mental health challenges?

No two teens are exactly alike, and neither are the challenges they face. Still, some struggles show up more often during these years. Knowing what they are may make them feel a little less overwhelming, whether you're living through them yourself or supporting a teen who is.

Mental health conditions that may affect adolescents

Some mental health conditions tend to first appear during the teen years. A few that may affect adolescents include:

• Anxiety disorders, which may involve ongoing worry, fear, or nervousness
• Depressive disorders, which may bring lasting sadness or a loss of interest in things
• Eating disorders, which affect a teen's relationship with food and body image
• Conduct disorder, which may show up as ongoing behavioral or rule-breaking issues

Adolescence comes with a lot of change, and that may lead to stress, raising the risk factors for certain teen mental health disorders. With the right resources, teens experiencing mental health conditions can receive support which may aid them in reducing their general sense of dismay.

Contributing factors and warning signs

A lot may pile up during the teen years, including academic pressure, peer pressure, bullying, and cyberbullying. Social media use may also impact teen mental health, depending on how they use it. On top of that, the physical and hormonal changes of puberty may stir up emotions that are tough to manage. 

Some adolescents face added pressure. Young people in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities may be at higher risk for certain mental health difficulties.

While teens may or may not be forthcoming regarding the nature of their mental health, you may notice certain warning signs. These may include pulling away from family and friends, trouble sleeping, slipping grades, or substance use. One rough week isn't always cause for alarm, but lasting changes in your child's mental health are worth paying attention to.

How can mental health stigma affect young people seeking help?

Even when a teen knows something's wrong, asking for help may feel scary. A big reason is mental health stigma, the idea that struggling means you're weak or that something's wrong with you. That fear may keep teens quiet and keep families from reaching out for mental health services, sometimes for a long time.

When stigma wins, warning signs may go unnoticed or unaddressed, and small struggles may grow into bigger ones. Mental health care should be considered within similar contexts as we refer to physical health. Just as there is no shame in going to the doctor with a broken arm, emotional struggles deserve professional support.

Talking openly about adolescent mental health at home and in schools helps chip away at the stigma. The more normal these conversations become, the easier it is for young people to speak up before things get harder.

How can teens get mental health support?

Reaching out is a vulnerable first step, and support comes in different forms. Finding the right fit may help a young person feel heard and take steps to start feeling better.

Professional mental health services

Several kinds of professional support may help a teen who's struggling:

• Individual therapy: Gives them one-on-one time with a licensed professional to talk through what they're feeling
• Group sessions: May connect them with peers facing similar challenges, which can ease that sense of being alone
• Family counseling: May bring everyone together to work on communication and support each other, this is something a teen's school counselor or local clinic may be able to facilitate

A teen's pediatrician may be a good starting point, as they may refer families to mental health services. Teen-specific therapy on platforms like BetterHelp may be another helpful resource. The needs of each teen vary regarding mental health, therefore, trained mental health providers work with teenagers in discussing the nature of their concerns.

Online therapy through BetterHelp and TeenCounseling

Online therapy makes getting support easier for a lot of families. BetterHelp has one of the world's largest online therapy services, connecting adults with licensed therapists through video, phone, live chat, and messaging, all from wherever works best.

For younger teens, there's TeenCounseling, BetterHelp's sister platform built specifically for teens aged 13 to 19 and their parents. Teens and young adults aged 18 or 19 may use either TeenCounseling or the main BetterHelp platform. A teen may start the sign-up process on their own, but a parent or guardian needs to complete enrollment and handle payment, so it's a team effort from the start.

Online therapy isn't a lesser option, either. Research suggests it may be effective for youth mental health conditions. With thousands of licensed providers across a wide range of specialties, BetterHelp offers a good chance to find someone who really gets what a teen is going through.

Frequently asked questions

Can teen mental health challenges be treated?

Yes. Many mental health challenges that affect young people may be effectively addressed with professional support, such as therapy.

Is BetterHelp available to teenagers?

BetterHelp also offers teen counseling options, subject to parental/guardian consent, age requirements, clinical appropriateness, and provider availability. Users may be matched with a therapist based on factors such as their needs, preferences, location, and available providers.

How does online therapy work for teens?

Through BetterHelp, teens and their parents may connect with a licensed counselor via video, phone, live chat, or messaging.

What mental health conditions can therapy address in young people?

Therapy may help young people experiencing a range of mental health challenges, including anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, eating disorders, and stress related to school or relationships.