Mental Health In A Teenage Mind
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Mental Health In A Teenage Mind

It is time to end the stigma regarding mental health and mental illnesses, especially in teenagers.

26
Mental Health In A Teenage Mind
San Diego Jewish Journal

According to the Office of Adolescent Health within the Department of Health and Human Services, one out of every five teenagers suffers from a diagnosable mental health disorder. However, far too often, mental health is ignored in teenagers. Whether irritability and sadness is written off as just “being a teen,” or whether the underlying stigma regarding mental illness is playing a role in the lack of mental care, the ignorance is extremely dangerous. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention gather data on the alarming suicide rates among America’s teenagers and found that suicide is the second leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 12-18. Even more staggering of a statistic is that four out of five teens who attempt suicide give clear warning signs that their mental stability is failing. Many parents and loved ones believe that their child will grow out of whatever they may be going through, and this thought process is actually what makes many of these illnesses worse. Most of the time, parents do not ignore their child’s mental illness due to a blatant lack of caring, but rather because of the stigmatization and lack of conversations regarding mental health as a whole. People are afraid to talk about mental illnesses. For some reason, our society has made it into some sort of “dirty” or “improper” topic of conversation. Everyone has a brain, which means everyone has mental health to think about.

I am one of the lucky teenagers who has parents who understand how important mental health is, especially within the rapidly changing teenage brain. For a long time, I did not know the anxiety I was feeling was not normal. In my first year of high school, I expected to be stressed out and worried. But, when my anxiety became so debilitating that I found myself unable to complete seemingly minute tasks, something needed to change. I have what is known as “Generalized Anxiety Disorder,” described by the Anxiety and Depression Association of America as being “characterized by persistent, excessive and unrealistic worry about everyday things.” This disorder can make the most normal of situations seem terrifying, and make easy days seem daunting. Therapy and medication increased my control of my anxiety, and while I still feel it almost every day, I now have more tools on how to work through it.

Having my own personal experience with a mental health disorder makes it even harder for me to see so many other people my age dealing with them without any help. When I describe my anxiety to some people, they just tell me to stop worrying, or to try to think about something else, or that it is all in my head. Yes, it is all in my head, but I can not stop thinking about it, and trust me I would love to stop worrying, but I also cannot do that. Too many people would rather just call someone crazy than actually listen and take the time to learn about mental illnesses. We have a responsibility to teach future generations to end the stigma regarding mental health and mental illness. We have a responsibility to open conversations that have been locked away for so long. Ending this stigma has the power to save lives.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57789
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37239
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958939
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

191994
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments