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The average student in the US attends school for 7 hours a day, 180 days a year. After 12 years of education, they will have spent around 2,160 days of their lives in a classroom setting.
Outside of the home, school plays one of the biggest influences in the lives of teens and is often cited as a top contributing factor in their mental health. School has the power to negatively impact one’s mental health, increasing the risk of anxiety and depression.
However, in supportive settings, schools also have the power to help kids foster connections, increase problem-solving skills, explore their passions, talents, and set them up for a successful future.
It’s important for both parents and educators to understand how school affects the teens in their lives. Read on to explore the impact of school on teenage mental health and strategies to support them.
Understanding The School-Teenager Context
Teens are in a unique stage of life, characterized by extreme biological changes, self-exploration, and navigating their independence. School provides a structured setting for them to explore their identities, develop self-awareness, and build social skills (to name a few).
However, there has been an upward trend in mental health problems among students, with almost half reporting they struggle with anxiety or depression. These problems were further increased during and after the COVID pandemic which isolated many students from the social aspect of school—an important piece of teen development.
How Does School Affect Mental Health?
Mental health problems are common among students. Research shows that 1 out of 5 students will experience a mental health problem in a given school year. The most common tend to be anxiety and depression, with students citing academic pressure as their number one source of stress. Some of the most common mental health problems reported in students include:
- Stress: 30%
- Anxiety: 22%
- Depression: 15%
- Troubling Sleeping: 20%
Negatively
School can affect teens’ mental health negatively by adding extra stressors that contribute to a rise in mental health problems. Academic stress has been reported by teens as the number one contributor to their anxiety.
Other factors that negatively impact student mental health include tension with peers, bullying, discrimination, and a lack of learning support. For kids who come from unstable home environments, poverty, or high-risk communities, the risks of mental health are increased further.
Schools can also be impacted if their students are struggling with their mental health. Some of the burdens schools may feel could include:
- Low attendance rates
- Increased student fights/conflict
- Decreased test scores
- Lower graduation rates
Positively
However, it’s not all negative. Schools that focus on supporting student mental health often see their students thrive.
In return, these schools often see better grade point averages, increased student collaboration, and high graduation rates, with many of their students heading to universities or trade schools.
Signs That School May Be Affecting a Child’s Mental Health
Struggling with mental health issues in your teens can increase the risk of problems in adulthood. It’s important for parents, educators, and anyone who works with teens to recognize the warning signs:
- Making excuses to go to school or skipping (truancy)
- Trouble sleeping
- Stomach problems, headaches
- Aggression, irritability
- Trouble focusing
- Increased anxiety on school nights
- Sudden decline in grades
- Social isolation
How to Help Your Teen With Their Mental Health
It’s important for students to feel supported in all aspects of their life, both in and outside the home. Teens may not always reach out for help when they are struggling with mental health problems; this could be due to shame, stigma, or embarrassment. However, building an open line of communication with your teen is a great place to start developing their trust. Some of the other ways to support teens with their mental health include:
- Actively listen and validate what they are feeling
- Help them with homework
- Invest in a tutor if necessary
- Create flashcards and play educational games with them
- Provide non-judgemental support
- Promote mindfulness in the home
There are also several ways schools, educators, and anyone who works with youth can support their students with their mental health. These include:
- Increasing the amount of guidance counselors in the district
- Training teachers to recognize warning signs of mental health problems
- Mental health awareness events
- Training staff in harm-prevention
- Making mental health education part of the curriculum for students
Professional Help for Teens in Texas
If you identify warning signs of mental health issues in your teen, it’s important to reach out for professional mental health support to help find the best plan of treatment. We understand the complex nature of troubled teens and help treat underlying mental health problems.
Our team of compassionate, licensed therapists are available 24/7 to answer your questions and support your teen. Reach out to our Admissions team to learn more.
Sources
Mental Health Among Adolescents. 2019. CDC.
Mental Health of Adolescents. 2024. World Health Organization.
Academic Stress and Adolescents Mental Health. 2020. National Library of Medicine.
Consequences of Student Mental Health Issues. Suicide Prevention Resource 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.
