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A Candid Conversation About Mental Health

 

In the US, we’ve seen an increase in the number of adolescents reporting poor mental health. It’s crucial to check in with your mental well-being and during this post we hear from teens and health care providers about the things we can do and resources available to support one another – and anyone struggling with their mental health.

One-third of teens in America report experiencing poor mental health and 1 in 7 teens struggle with some type of mental illness. It’s crucial to check in with your mental well-being and in this post we hear from teens and health care providers about the things we can do and resources available to support one another – and anyone struggling with their mental health.

As we enter our teens, there is so much change. Our bodies and brains change, we are becoming more independent, and we are heading to adulthood. It’s exciting, but it can also be stressful. And it’s also at this developmental stage that signs of mental health conditions often emerge. We know that roughly half of people with a mental health condition during their life, start seeing symptoms before the age of 14, but many times symptoms aren’t noticed until some years later.

A newer development in mental health in teens and young adults is social media. While it can be a great way to stay connected, it can also be a place where online bullying and comparing your life to others can have negative effects and increase feelings of isolation. We know that with all mental health concerns, if you get help early on, you will be better able to get through your teen years and prepare for life as a young adult.

We ALL need to be able to talk about mental health. The more we all know and feel comfortable talking about mental health, the more likely we are to be able to identify conditions and get connected to resources and get help. 

If you are feeling differently, maybe you don’t enjoy what you used to, you’re feeling sad, your grades have dropped, or you’re unable to focus, it’s time to talk to an adult you trust. This could include parents, caregivers, school counselors or teachers, your doctor or a therapist, or perhaps a coach. It may feel uncomfortable, but remember you are not alone in how you feel. Talking to someone about how you’re feeling is the first step to getting the guidance, support and treatment you need to manage your mental health.

If you cannot think of anyone, there are also phone, text and chat resources and many support groups available.