While American teens as a whole may not specifically struggle with depression, they are reporting poor mental and sadness in larger numbers than ever before.
The life of any given American teenager may appear simple: home, school, friends, hobbies. However, if you’re not a teenager yourself, you may not be aware of the newer challenges that complicate a teen’s life in our culture. Here are just some of the developments in technology, health, and advertising that today’s teens have dealt with since birth:
- Smartphones
- Social media platforms and apps with addictive designs
- Huge spikes in living costs
- Unfiltered avalanches of information
- Body-negative advertising
- A global pandemic that impeded learning
All of these trends can affect teenagers negatively. And these are just the more obvious challenges. In addition, many young people are feeling stress and turmoil around the following:
- The prevalence of gun violence in America
- American racism and social injustice
- The realities of climate change
- Anxiety over the job market
- The impacts of negative body image
- The state of their family relationships and health
Teens are also admitting that bullying, lack of time in nature, and feelings of low resilience when facing life’s obstacles severely impact their sense of well-being.
In the past four years, child and teen healthcare professionals have seen the following trends in their young patients’ mental health:
- In 2020, 16% of American teenagers bore the weight of an anxiety, depression, or dual diagnosis.
- Between 2016 and 2023, there’s been a 33% increase in these types of diagnoses in adolescence.
- In 2021, over 42% of American high school students reported feelings of perpetual sadness and hopelessness.
- In the same year, 29% of those students would admit to struggling with poor mental health overall.
- 2021 would also record nearly 22% of American teens having seriously considered suicide, with 10% of teens attempting it.
While both boys and girls are heavily affected by social media’s influence and a slew of other unprecedented challenges, girls fare worse in the mental health department. In 2023, almost 60% of teen girls surveyed reported depression symptoms. Self-reported depression symptoms among boys were significantly lower; however, this may be because many teen boys don’t want to admit to poor mental health.
Simultaneously, Black teens and teens who struggle to identify as a boy or a girl are also disproportionately affected by the mental health crisis. Non-binary youth are much more likely to consider suicide, and Black students are more likely than other ethnicities and subgroups to commit suicide in adolescence.
Is There a Connection Between Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in Teens?
Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Teens with poor mental health are more likely to develop substance use issues as teens or as adults. However, there is hope. Research shows that the earlier parents and caretakers intervene in their child’s poor mental health or behavior, the better chances the child has of avoiding drug addiction in the future.
How To Help Struggling Teens in South Carolina
While Waypoint Recovery doesn’t treat minors, we may be able to guide you to resources for your teenage family member if you fear they may be using drugs and alcohol. Simply contact us today with questions. If you’re looking for ways to support them, we can recommend the following:
- Set them up with individual and/or group therapy
- Allow them to develop and engage in any interests around music, movies, and TV shows that seem to have a positive effect on their self-image and help them channel energy in constructive ways
- Motivate them to engage in physical activity: they should be as active as possible without causing themselves added stress
- Provide resources for them to explore and practice mindfulness and meditation
- Talk to your teen about drugs, alcohol, and addiction openly and honestly
- Continuously educate yourself and your teen on digital literacy and safety
Remember: the teen years are tumultuous by default. If you see your teenager struggling with their mental health, it’s not an isolated experience. There are mental health resources and support systems available in South Carolina, and Waypoint Recovery Center can help guide you to them.
