Mental health problems are very common among people today, but they are surprisingly prevalent in teens as well. 20% of youth ages 13-18 live with a mental health condition. That is 1 in every 5 teens. Some of the most common disorders include ADHD, depression, and anxiety disorders. The stresses of adolescence and high school can force youth into these disorders, and some can last all their lives. 50% of lifetime mental disorder cases begin by age 14. The earlier that these conditions are diagnosed and treated, the better off the patients are.
Diagnosing and treating mental health problems is a very important part in the process of recovering/coping. 75-80% of children and youth with a mental disorder, who need treatment, have not received it. Many kids feel that they are weak or broken if they admit to struggling with mental illness. This is probably a result of bullying or stigma that surrounds people with mental health issues. 49% of youth who are struggling with Depression, never even tell an adult.
Keeping mental disorders from being treated may have a variety of negative effects. Suicide is the 3rd cause of death in youth ages 10-24. Also, 90% of people who die by suicide have an underlying mental illness. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. This holds people back from living to their full potential. In fact, 70% of youth juveniles, and 26% of homeless people have a mental illness.
The main way that I believe that we can improve the prevalence of mental health among teens, is to reduce the stigma around the subject. Adolescents are already feeling the need to find themselves and belong, and mental health can just be seen as another hurdle to jump. It is often feared that people won’t accept or support you if you tell them you have a mental health condition. I hope that one day, that doesn’t have to be a fear.
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