Teen Mental Health: How You Can Help Manage It

October 15, 2025

Worried about your teen’s mental health? You’re not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 4% of children ages 3 to 17 have been diagnosed with depression, and 11% have anxiety.

“We’re definitely seeing an increase in anxiety and other mental health issues in teens and adolescents,” says Dr. Andrea Temkin-Yu, assistant attending psychologist and assistant professor of psychology in Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine. “With all the parenting advice online and on social media, it’s easy to feel lost.”

Detecting Adolescent Mental Health Issues

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, half of all mental health problems start before a child reaches age 14. Parents and caregivers can help recognize these issues by paying attention to the warning signs.

Symptoms that may indicate children or teens are experiencing mental health issues include:

Abusing alcohol or drugs
Changes in sleeping or eating habits
Cuts, bruises, burns or other signs of self-harm
Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
New or increased interest in sexual activity
Obsessing over achieving a specific goal
Persistent worries or fears
Unexplainable weight changes

Of course, some of these symptoms can just be typical teenage stuff. So, when are they something to worry about?

“What parents want to pay attention to is if they’re seeing multiple changes ongoing over time,” Dr. Temkin-Yu says. “It won’t just be one weird week of appetite changes or other symptoms; it’ll be ongoing. And it will happen at the same time as multiple new issues, such as changes in sleep or energy.”

This combination could mean your youth has a mental health issue. Contact your child’s pediatrician for an accurate diagnosis.

Managing Your Teen’s Mental Health

Proper care and support help lead teens toward improved mental health. A few ways to help young people in your life include:

Find resources. Helping children and teens manage mental health isn’t easy. Seek resources that help in your journey, such as Dr. Temkin-Yu’s workbook, Supporting Your Teen’s Mental Health.
Listen first. “As a parent, you really want to jump in and problem solve,” Dr. Temkin-Yu says. “However, the first thing kids need is to feel understood.” Instead of troubleshooting, ask your middle or high school student about their feelings, and then affirm and validate those feelings.
Seek help. You don’t have to manage your teen’s health alone. Contact an expert for mental health support, in person or via Video Visits.

Conclusion

Positive mental health is possible for children, teens and young adults. Here’s what you should remember to help the youngsters in your life.

Mental illness is on the rise in adolescents and teens, so take symptoms seriously.
A short-lived symptom is not necessarily the sign of a mental crisis. But addressing mental health with your teen may be warranted if they consistently have one or more symptoms that disrupt daily functioning.
Help is available to guide teens toward better mental health.

Call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 if you or anyone you know has suicidal thoughts. For ongoing help managing your teen’s mental health, find a doctor at Weill Cornell Medicine today.