Mental Health & Wellness
"I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination."
Being a teenager is hard.
You're under stress to be liked, do well in school, get along with your family, and make big decisions. You can't avoid most of these pressures, and worrying about them is normal.
Mental health problems can be treated. To find help, talk to your parents, school counselor, or health care provider.
Mental health problems are real, painful, and sometimes severe. You might need help if you:
- Often feel very angry or very worried
- Feel grief for a long time after a loss or death
- Think your mind is controlled or out of control
- Hurt other people or destroy property
- Do reckless things that could harm you or others
How to manage your mental health
Prolonged psychological stress is the enemy of our mental health, and physical movement is our best weapon to respond.
There's no shame in taking care of your mental health
When stress got to be too much for TED Fellow Sangu Delle, he had to confront his own deep prejudice: that men shouldn't take care of their mental health. In a personal talk, Delle shares how he learned to handle anxiety in a society that's uncomfortable with emotions. As he says: "Being honest about how we feel doesn't make us weak -- it makes us human."
Mental Health Information
Why Am I in Such a Bad Mood?
Do you ever find yourself getting really irritable for almost no reason? Or suddenly feeling down without knowing why? Going from sadness to anger to joy in a matter of minutes can make many teens feel as though they're losing their grip. But why is the feeling of being on an emotional roller coaster so common among teens?
Teen brains may be more vulnerable to stress.
Because the teen brain is still developing, teens may respond to stress differently than adults, which could lead to stress-related mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Mindfulness, which is a psychological process of actively paying attention to the present moment, may help teens cope with and reduce stress.
Everyone feels stressed from time to time, but what is stress? How does it affect your overall health? And what can you do to manage your stress?
Do you lose your temper and wonder why? Are there days when you feel like you just wake up angry?
Dealing With Anger
Some of it may be the changes your body's going through: All those hormones you hear so much about can cause mood swings and confused emotions. Some of it may be stress. People who are under a lot of pressure tend to get angry more easily.
Anxiety Disorders
Occasional anxiety is a normal part of life. You might worry about things like health, money, or family problems. But people with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) feel extremely worried or feel nervous about these and other things—even when there is little or no reason to worry about them. People with GAD find it difficult to control their anxiety and stay focused on daily tasks.
Recognizing Teen Depression
Being a teenager can be tough. There are changes taking place in your body and brain that can affect how you learn, think, and behave. And if you are facing tough or stressful situations, it is normal to have emotional ups and downs.
But if you have been overwhelmingly sad for a long time (a few weeks to months) and you’re not able to concentrate or do the things you usually enjoy, you may want to talk to a trusted adult about depression.
How is Your Self-Esteem?
Is your self-esteem strong, or does it need a boost? Take a quiz to find out. For each item, choose the response that's most like you. When you're done, we'll have tips and advice on ways to build and/or maintain your self-esteem!
