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The Detrimental Decline in Teens Mental Health: and what you should be doing about it

  • Writer: Diamond Tran
    Diamond Tran
  • 1 day ago
  • 9 min read


You Know Yourself and Info For Neuroscience presents...

The Detrimental Decline in Teens Mental Health: and what you should be doing about it


Introduction:

Did you know that 1 in 5 adolescents have a mental or behavioral health condition? This stat is only for those who are diagnosed; now imagine what the real number would be if more teens were to speak up. Depression rates alone have risen 60% since the 2000s, according to a study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology. 70% of teens identify anxiety or depression among their peers, according to the American Psychological Association in 2024. This global phenomenon that took over the lives of many teens, potentially ruining their future and collectively ruining the next generation, makes you wonder: What was the cause of all this? What can we do to prevent this from going any further? Is there an efficient way to catch these signs before it's too late?



Mental Health problems within teens:


Depression:

Many people throw the term “Depression” out there, but most of the time, they don’t know what it truly means to be depressed. Depression, also called major depressive disorder, affects your cognitive abilities, such as behavior or mood. It leads to a variety of emotional and physical problems including suicidal thoughts. Symptoms to look out for include: Loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, feeling hopeless, sleep problems, slower thinking, thoughts of death, sudden weight loss or gain, lack of energy, and angry outbursts. Individuals with depression should not give up hope. Depression can be treated with medication and psychotherapy. You are never alone; talk to any trusted person about any worries you may have.


Anxiety:

Similar to the way depression is commonly misused and self-diagnosed, anxiety is often used as a term to describe overthinking. It is important to note that there is a difference between anxiety “disorder” and the feeling of anxiety. The state of being anxious is described as feelings of worry, fear, or uneasiness, whose range depends on the circumstances. This feeling is very common; in fact, it is part of the body's natural fight or flight. Anxiety disorder is defined as a diagnosed mental condition where the individual experiences several and persistent anxiety attacks that are out of proportion to the environment or event that triggers them. There are many types of anxiety disorders, some include: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, and Social Anxiety Disorder. Due to the many types of anxiety disorders, the symptoms vary between individuals who are affected. You should seek support and attention for yourself or other peers who show signs of experiencing anxiety often. You are not alone. Be sure to seek the help you need, and don’t be afraid to speak up for others, either!


Stress:

Stress is insanely common among teens. On a ten-point scale, teens report approximately 2 more points of feeling stressed than adults in the United States According to the American Psychological Association in 2024. In that same study, only 16% of teens reported stress levels going down since the previous year, but about 1 in 3 teens say their stress levels have risen and believe it will not get better in the following year. Stress often stems from academic or social pressure; In particular, the rise of social media since the 2000s has given teens access to the internet from just their pocket. Cyberbullying, negative influences, and toxic relationships within social media are detrimental to a teen's mental health, which could lead to stress or worse mental health problems. 


The correlation between the rise of social media and  skyrocketing teen depression could help explain this phenomenon, but it isn’t enough to prove that social media is bad for teens. You, as a person reading this article, should spread awareness about mental health. Don’t be afraid to reach out to others whether you are feeling upset or just want someone to talk to. Use social media in a way that could help decline these rates of declining mental health. 


The consequences:


The severity of these conditions vary on each individual. Life isn't perfect for everyone; you will eventually face adversity in one way or another. Like previously mentioned, stress is a very common experience for teens. This alongside potential  anxiousness and feelings of dread pile up onto the individual which could take a toll on their everyday life.  Teens who experience these factors usually feel hopeless and lost which leads them to avoiding support. Sometimes they go for external methods of coping that help temporarily but are extremely detrimental to their overall health. These methods include the usage of drugs, undereating or overeating, or in extreme circumstances, self harm and suicide. These coping mechanisms can ruin many lives including the people surrounding the individual who indulge in these methods. 


Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death within teens in the country. Without the proper help, the country faces so many deaths that could have been prevented. Even excluding suicide, mental health is a huge part of a students motivation to simply get up in the morning. Mental health impacts the ethics of individuals and their mentality. It is important that these mentalities are shaped into positive ones that allow these teens to thrive. The consequences are not only temporary, in fact, they impact our world.  These teens are our future; They determine the shape that our country will take. It is important that we support and help these teens when they are facing these adversities so not only their lives improve, but society as a whole improves.



Now you might be asking, how could I get support for myself and for others? 


Support Methods Role in Mental Health Issues


Why Support Matters:


Mental health is extremely delicate, which is why people require consistent care to maintain a positive one. Typically, individuals reside in a state of emotional, psychological, and social well-being, which enables them to cope with life stresses, work productively, maintain healthy relationships, and contribute to society. However, these states can be negatively affected when someone is exposed to an extreme psychosocial stressor. Psychosocial stressors can stem from urbanization, digital dependency, social isolation, and economic pressures. While psychosocial stressors are not the main cause of deterioration of mental health, they play a major role in the prevalence of various mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress, etc. 


Different support methods can provide the emotional, practical, and social resources that enhance recovery, reduce stress, and help navigate psychosocial stressors. Studies have shown that social and musical support, along with mental health literacy, can serve as pivotal resources for coping with emotions and bolstering overall well-being. If you or someone you know is suffering from a mental health issue, read below to see possible support methods that can help address it.


Psychotherapy:


Many methods work to alleviate many symptoms that come from mental health issues.  Ironically, one of the most effective methods is just talking about your thoughts and feelings. Oftentimes, those who struggle with their mental health have trouble managing intense emotions and/or thoughts. Unchecked emotions can give rise to the escalation of anxiety, depression, feelings of worthlessness, and the potential development of intermittent explosive disorder. 


With the aid of psychotherapy, individuals can speak about their feelings and work to modify any unhealthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This is possible because “talk therapy” works on a biological level by changing brain structure and gene expression, improving emotional regulation, and strengthening communication between brain regions involved in fear and reasoning. 


It is normal to be hesitant about doing psychotherapy, but if you are overwhelmed by your emotions to a point where they're harming you or others, you should consider it. To start, look for possible psychologists who are qualified to do psychotherapy. You can ask family members or a primary care provider for one if needed. Sessions typically last 45-60 minutes, and the cost can be covered by insurance, but there are free clinics/programs offered by health centers that can cover the cost. Don’t hesitate to reach out to anyone if you ever need any kind of support.


Musical Therapy:


Whether it's listening to songs on Spotify or playing the xylophone in band class, music profoundly affects our socioemotional development and overall well-being. Physicians use music as a therapy that improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and stress while fostering emotional regulation, self-confidence, and social connection. Music therapy helps people rebuild their self-esteem and build healthy coping/problem-solving skills. It opens an outlet for individuals to navigate their feelings nonverbally. This is helpful for people with altered cognitive abilities or who find it difficult to express their emotions with words. For those suffering from an anxiety disorder or depression, music therapy provides a brain-relaxing activity that can reduce symptoms and promote a sense of well-being. Music can also aid in physical rehabilitation and improve physical coordination, motor functions, and overall quality of life.


Individuals can take advantage of music’s benefits from the comfort of their home through listening to calming music or making music with instruments. Additionally, you can have professional music therapy provided to you by a board-certified music therapist. Music therapy sessions are either individual or group-based, with individual session prices ranging from $85 to $160 per hour and group-based sessions ranging from $90 to $110 for 30-45 minute sessions. If you or someone you know could potentially benefit from this, don’t hesitate to look for a music therapist near you or ask your primary health care physician. 


Mental Health Literacy:


The best tool to combat mental health issues is simply education. Having the knowledge of and ability to learn about signs, symptoms, and treatment resources for mental illnesses. You can recognize, manage, and seek support early for mental health issues if you take the time to achieve a general understanding of the foundations of good mental health. As you previously read, mental health issues, including depression, anxiety disorders, and schizophrenia, are highly prevalent in the world. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in 5 teens in the U.S. have mental health issues, but only 43.8 percent of those individuals receive treatment. One way to improve this is through mental health literacy because with increased understanding of mental health diseases, individuals will be better equipped to seek help when they need it and provide support for others. This can significantly improve an individual's quality of life and lower the stigma around mental health. 


Conclusion:


Due to the prevalent stigma around mental health, many teens' mental health has declined, creating a growing public health crisis that is affecting our generation at an alarming rate. Depression, anxiety, and stress are often overlooked due to la ack of knowledge or stigma. While factors such as academic pressure, generational trauma, and social media may contribute to this ruse, we can still prevent further harm. 


Our first step should be becoming aware of what mental health is. Individuals should know what a healthy mind looks like and the signs and symptoms of an unhealthy mind. Individuals should also seek support from those they feel comfortable with, like family and peers. Speaking about your thoughts and feelings without fear of judgment can create a safe environment for teens. 


With adequate knowledge and good support systems, we can recognize warning signs early and get professional help to potentially save lives. Teen mental health matters, and supporting it is a responsibility we all share.



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