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Youth mental health challenges are a widespread public health problem affecting almost 50% of teens across the US. Teens are in a unique developmental stage characterized by biological changes and life transitions that can make them extra vulnerable to developing a mental health disorder [1].
It’s important for parents to understand the warning signs of mental health problems in teens so they can provide early intervention and effective support. Read on to understand common mental health problems in teens and programs that exist to support their recovery.
Understanding Teen Mental Health Problems
Struggling with a mental health problem in adolescence can cause long-term negative effects on one’s relationships, academics, and overall daily functioning. Mental health problems tend to surface around the age of 14 and have risen drastically over the last decade. According to the World Health Organization, some of the most common mental health problems in teens include [2]:
- Depression: 20%
- Anxiety: Over 30%
- ADHD: 9%
- Bipolar Disorder: 2.9%
- Trauma and PTSD: Estimated 15-43%
- Causes
Mental illness is deeply personal and affects teens from all backgrounds. There is no single cause of mental health problems in teens, but it usually is influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and social factors.
For example, a teen with bipolar disorder may be genetically predisposed to developing it if it runs in the family. On the other hand, a mental health disorder such as PTSD is influenced by environmental factors such as trauma.
Some common causes that increase the risk of a teen developing a mental health problem include:
- Genetics
- Complex trauma such as physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect
- Trauma from a one-time event such as a natural disaster, school shooting, or car accident
- Victims of bullying or discrimination
- Isolation or social exclusion
- Chronic illness or medical injury
- Living in an unstable home environment
- Grief and loss, such as losing a parent, caregiver, or close childhood friend
- Poverty or financial insecurity
- Substance abuse
Warning Signs
It’s important for parents, teachers, and anyone who works with youth to recognize the warning signs of mental health problems in teens so they can provide early intervention and prevent problems from escalating. Some common warning signs your teen is struggling with their mental health include:
- Social withdrawal and isolation
- Insomnia or excessive sleeping
- Changes in appetite (overeating or not eating enough)
- Persistent sadness or hopelessness
- Sudden decline in school
- Irritability or aggression
- Drastic mood swings
- Reckless behavior that threatens themselves or others (speeding, driving under the influence, unprotected sex)
- Getting into violent fights with peers
- Trouble concentrating
- Lack of motivation
- Low self-esteem
- Anxiety
- Muscle tension
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Self-harm or thoughts of suicide
Programs for Teen Mental Health
There are several kinds of programs that exist to support teens recovering from mental health challenges. Some programs are designed strictly for mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Other programs may treat substance abuse in teens or co-occurring disorders where they address addiction and mental health simultaneously.
These programs offer varying levels of care and include:
- Residential Treatment is the highest level of care where teens live at the facility for an extended period of time. They receive around-the-clock care and participate in structured daily activities, including individual therapy, group therapy, medication management, and recreational activities. This program is often recommended for teens with severe mental health disorders or if they present with symptoms such as violence, self-harm, or suicidal ideation.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a step down from residential, offering similar levels of structure, but teens return to their homes in the evening. These programs are usually 5-7 days a week, and teens spend up to 6-8 hours at the facility participating in individual therapy, group therapy, and structured activities. Teens will continue building on the skills they learned in residential.
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) provide teens more flexibility to stay engaged in school and their community but still have high levels of structure. They support teens after they exit a residential program or PHP to improve their long-term recovery. They meet 2 to 4 times a week for a few hours.
- Outpatient Counseling is much more flexible, less structured and is used to treat mild to moderate symptoms of mental health disorders in teens, such as depression, anxiety, or dealing with stressful life transitions. Teens will usually attend these once a week for 1-2 hours.
Common Therapy Approaches for Teen Mental Health Challenges
Regardless of the program you choose for your teen, they all incorporate a blend of evidence-based therapies. Some common treatment approaches for teen mental health problems include:
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) | Teaches teens how their thoughts influence their mood and behavior. Helps them re-structure negative thinking patterns, set goals, and build positive coping skills | Used for a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and OCD |
| Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) | Helps teen understand how their emotions influence their everyday actions and relationships. Teaches distress tolerance, mindfulness, coping skills for resilience, and strategies to improve interpersonal relationships | Originally designed for Borderline Personality Disorder, it can also help complex trauma and severe cases of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions where CBT has already been tried |
| Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) | Uses guided visualization techniques and bilateral stimulation of the brain to help teens process traumatic memories and emotional distress | Designed for the treatment of Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) |
| Art and Music Therapy | These recreational therapies help teens cope with chronic stress and process distressing emotions in a creative and structured way. These are especially beneficial for teens who struggle with verbal skills | Used for a variety of teen mental health challenges such as trauma and anxiety or as part of substance abuse recovery |
| Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) | The goal of ABA is to increase positive behaviors and decrease negative behaviors through real-life scenarios and operant conditioning | Used for severe behavioral disorders or neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism, ADHD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and Conduct Disorder (CD) |
| Group Therapy | Under the guidance of a licensed therapist, teens will have the opportunity to connect with peers their age who are going through similar struggles. It can help them decrease feelings of isolation and practice their communication skills | Used for several mental health conditions or substance abuse disorders alongside individual therapy |
| Family Therapy | Structured therapy, either in an outpatient setting or as a home-based intervention to address issues such as communication, structure, and discipline in the home | Used for several mental health conditions or substance abuse disorders alongside individual therapy |
Teen Mental Health Residential Treatment Groups in Texas
At Clearfork Academy, our team of licensed mental health professionals understands the challenges that today’s teens face and the impact that cyberbullying can have on their mental health. We offer comprehensive mental health support, such as support groups and individual counseling, to help teens connect with peers their age and build coping skills for positive mental health outcomes.
Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your teen.
Sources
[1] Child and adolescent mental health. 2021. Office of Health and Human Services.
[2] Mental Health of Adolescents. 2024. World Health Organization.
Mike grew up on a dairy farm in Parker County, Texas. At the age of 59, he went back to college and graduated 41 years after his first graduation from Weatherford College. God placed on his heart at that time the passion to begin to help others as they walked from addictions, alcoholism, and abuse of substances. He is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and in the past few years he has worn many hats, from intake and assessment, group counseling, individual and family counseling, intensive outpatient and now he is working with clients, therapist, and families on discharge planning and aftercare. He also coordinates our Alumni Outreach Program.
