Teens’ mental health may understand their emotions better than adults, but they can still struggle to cope with them. Fortunately, a supportive environment and effective treatment can help them navigate life’s challenges. Many mental health conditions begin during adolescence, and they often get worse without intervention. This toolkit equips parents and other safe adults with tools for fostering positive mental health, including how to recognize warning signs of adolescent depression or anxiety, and what to do if a teen exhibits concerning thoughts or behaviors.

Teen Mental Health: Addressing the Challenges and Providing Support

Mental health issues are more common than many people realize. 20% of children and young people ages 3-17 in the United States have a mental, emotional or developmental disorder. Suicidal behaviors among high school students increased by over 40% in the decade leading up to 2019, making it the lead cause of death and disability for that age group.

It’s important to pay attention to any changes in your teen’s behavior or demeanor that could indicate a mental health challenge, such as sudden trouble sleeping or eating, spending more time alone, and dropping out of sports or club activities. If you notice any of these red flags, have an open and honest conversation with them to find out what’s going on. You might also want to consider having them save emergency phone numbers on their cell phones, so they can reach out for help when needed. It can be helpful to use language like “living with” instead of “suffering from,” which helps teens know that mental illness is treatable and manageable.