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More than half of students across the US report struggling with mental health challenges, and 94% of these students report academic pressure as their biggest source of stress [1].
Teens spend the majority of their developing lives in school, and it plays a significant role in their mental health. Students who suffer from mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, or sleep disorders may struggle to maintain relationships, have poor academic performance, and even physical health problems.
Read on to understand common causes of mental health problems in students, how to recognize the warning signs, and effective strategies to support student mental health.
Common Mental Health Challenges Faced By Students
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, around 40% of students across the US struggle with a mental health disorder [2]. This can lead to declining grades, conflict with peers and teachers, and even impact their physical health. If mental health challenges in students go untreated, it can follow them into adulthood, affecting their long-term health and success.
Schools may also notice a shift in their classrooms if students are struggling with mental health challenges. They may see lower test scores, higher truancy rates, and increased fights or violence among students [3].
According to the World Health Organization, most mental health disorders begin to emerge around the age of 14. Teens are more vulnerable to the risk of developing mental health problems due to several factors, such as developmental changes in the brain, fluctuations in hormones, environmental influences, and social pressures [4].
The most common mental health challenges faced by students include [2]:
- Anxiety: 32%
- Sleep Disorders: 20%
- Depression: 20%
- ADHD: 9%
Warning Signs of Mental Health Problems in Students
It’s important for parents, teachers, and anyone else who works with youth to recognize the warning signs of mental health problems in students to provide early intervention and connect them to support services.
We have included a table below of some of the most common warning signs of a few mental health challenges faced by students:
| Anxiety | Tension, persistent worrying, change in sleep/appetite, irritability or aggression, increased heart rate, stomach problems, avoiding going to school, frequent trips to the nurse, panic attacks |
| Depression | Sadness or hopelessness, isolation and social withdrawal from peers change in sleep/appetite, headaches or stomach problems, decline in grades, truancy |
| Sleep Disorders | Falling asleep in class, decline in grades, trouble focusing, irritability or aggression |
| ADHD | Constant fidgeting, trouble focusing, excessive talking, problems sitting still, interrupting conversations |
Common Causes of Mental Health Problems in Students
It’s important to understand the causes of mental health problems in students to create effective strategies for harm prevention. Mental health is deeply personal for teens, and each student may have different stressors that affect them differently. However, some of the most common causes include academic pressure, peer conflict, isolation, social media, and their home environment.
Academic Pressure
Academic pressure is reported as the number one cause of student anxiety. This can be due to pressure from parents, teachers, or even themselves to succeed. Achieving high test scores, good grades, and preparing for college can all cause teens extra stress when thinking about their future.
According to the Lancet Child and Adolescent Health Journal, teens who focused on learning and personal development had lower rates of depression and anxiety than teens who were solely focused on performance [5].
Peer Conflict
Adolescence is a time when teens are exploring their identities and finding their place in social circles. It’s normal for teens to want to “fit in” and feel accepted by their peers. Research shows that students who are victims of bullying, discrimination, or harassment are more likely to struggle with mental health challenges and are at an increased risk of suicide [6].
Although parents may think of physical violence when they hear the word bullying, there are several ways teens can feel victimized by their peers that impact their mental health. Bullying can appear as:
- Rude gestures
- Name-calling
- Exclusion
- Spreading rumors and gossip
- Constant negative teasing
- Cyberbullying (receiving nasty messages online, fake or misleading profiles, posting photos of someone else, leaving hurtful comments on posts, etc.)
Isolation
Positive social interactions among teens lead to healthier development and lower the risk of developing mental health problems such as depression. The COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in the rise of student mental health problems by isolating teens during remote learning from their peers and communities [2].
Encourage your teen to join extracurricular activities such as sports, art classes, music programs, or a school club to foster connection with peers and decrease feelings of loneliness or isolation.
Social Media
Over 50% of teens today spend at least 4 hours scrolling on their phones and social media. Although social media allows teens to connect with their peers, get creative, and learn new skills, it can also wreak havoc on their mental health.
Teens who spend more time on social media may struggle with face-to-face interactions, have lower self-esteem, and set unrealistic expectations for themselves based on what they see on their feeds [7].
Remind your teen that many things they see on social media may not accurately reflect reality and encourage them to connect with peers in person, not just through online interactions. If you believe your teen is struggling with social media addiction, consider setting limits or having “tech-free” time in the home as a family.
Home Environment
Students who come from high-risk homes with poverty, violence, or a history of substance abuse or mental illness may be at an increased risk of developing a mental health disorder [1].
Schools play a prominent role in helping these teens with their mental health and should provide them with the tools to succeed.
Schools can support high-risk students by:
- Increasing access to mental health services
- Ensuring guidance counselors are in every district
- Building a line of open communication with parents/caregivers
- Provide individual learning support if necessary, such as an IEP
- Train teachers and staff to recognize the warning signs of mental health problems
- Provide training to staff on what to do or who to call during a mental health crisis
Professional Mental Health Support for Teens
At Clearfork Academy, our team of compassionate, licensed therapists understands the complex nature of mental health disorders in teens. Our residential, IOP, and PHP treatment programs are designed to support teens with mental health disorders on their path to recovery and success.
Reach out to our Admissions team to learn more.
Sources
[1] Student Stress Statistics. 2024. Transforming Education.
[2] Mental Illness in Adolescents. 2022. National Institute of Mental Health.
[3] Consequences of Student Mental Health Issues. Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
[4] Mental health of adolescents. 2024. World Health Organization.
[5] The association between academic achievement goals and adolescent depressive symptoms. 2024. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.
[6] Fact sheet: Understanding bullying. 2016. CDC.
[7] Teens, Social Media and Technology. 2022. Pew Research Center.
Founder & CEO
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
