Mental Health Matters in the Adolescent Years
Think mental health issues only affect adults? Think again. The American Psychiatric Association reports that half of all mental illnesses start by age 14, and three-fourths begin by age 24.
“During the transition from childhood to adolescence, things can go awry,” says Francis Lee, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Psychiatry, professor of psychiatry, neuroscience and pharmacology and psychiatrist-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. “As the brain is rewiring itself during this time, it seems to be quite vulnerable to anxiety disorders and depression.”
With the added weight of distressing global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, school shootings, political unrest and economic instability, the mental health of adolescents can be profoundly impacted.
So what can you do to support your child’s mental health?
Know the Risks
Many factors affect an adolescent’s mental health. Home life and poor peer relationships can lead to mental illness. So can the following:
- Becoming pregnant during adolescence
- Experiencing bullying or poverty
- Facing discrimination
- Feeling excessive pressure to succeed in school, sports or other activities
- Living with chronic conditions
Consider a New Threat
According to Dr. Lee, a new threat to adolescent mental health emerged in 2010, when the iPhone 4 released. This was the first iPhone with a front-facing camera.
Since then, more adolescents began using smart phones. Mental health issues among youngsters have risen as well.
“[Use of smartphones] is a double-edged sword,” Dr. Lee says. “It expands your social network, but it also provides opportunities for social isolation and physical isolation.”
See the Symptoms
Recognizing mental health issues allows you to seek care for your adolescent as soon as possible. A few symptoms your child may display include:
- Abusing drugs or drinking alcohol
- Avoiding loved ones or canceling plans with friends for no reason
- Developing an unhealthy fixation on achieving a specific goal
- Experiencing unexplainable changes in weight, sleep or eating habits
- Having a sudden extreme interest in sex
- Hiding cuts, bruises or burns
- Losing interest in once-loved activities
Work Toward Improved Mental Health
If your child displays symptoms of mental health issues, don’t blame yourself or ignore the problem. Take note. Then, take action.
- Consult your child’s primary care provider. A pediatrician or other provider can connect you to a mental health professional.
- Encourage healthy habits. A healthy diet, good sleep and limited screen time can boost your adolescent’s mental health.
- Talk about mental health. On good days and bad days, make mental health a topic of conversation.
“For decades, we believed it was important for us to see our patients in person to really give the most effective treatment,” Dr. Lee says. “The pandemic has shown us that, for mild to moderate cases, we are able to use psychiatry Video Visits very effectively.”
Need help looking after your child’s mental and physical well-being? Find a doctor at Weill Cornell Medicine.