FAQs and Myths
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are common mental health problems in teenagers?
A: The most common mental health problem in teenagers is depression, anxiety disorders, and behavioral disorders. These are a few of the most common, however, it is important to know that mental health problems may go unrecognized before ever seeking help and being diagnosed with a specific disorder. Depression is very vast and better explained as an emotional state that interferes with daily living.
Q: What are some symptoms of teenage mental health?
A: Missing days in school or poor school performance.
Avoiding friends and social life.
Losing interest in activities.
Not having motivation for fun or exciting activities.
Sleeping disturbances, including insomnia and nightmares.
Q: What are some treatments for teenage mental health?
A: While treatment for mental health depends on the type of mental illness, therapy is always there to help.
Source: https://www.sandstonecare.com/blog/teen-mental-health/#gutenblock-block_638647d6184e7
Myths About Teenage Mental Health
Myth: If a person has a mental health condition, it means the person has low intelligence.
Fact: Mental illness, like physical illness, can affect anyone regardless of intelligence, social class, or income level.
Myth: You only need to take care of your mental health if you have a mental health condition.
Fact: Everyone can benefit from taking active steps to promote their well-being and improve their mental health. Similarly, everyone can take active steps and engage in healthy habits to optimize their physical health.
Myth: Poor mental health is not a big issue for teenagers. They just have mood swings caused by hormonal fluctuations and act out due to a desire for attention.
Fact: Teenagers often have mood swings, but that does not mean that adolescents may not also struggle with their mental health. Fourteen percent of the world’s adolescents experience mental health problems. Globally, among those aged 10–15, suicide is the fifth most prevalent cause of death, and for adolescents aged 15–19, it is the fourth most common cause. Half of all mental health conditions start by the age of 14.
Myth: Nothing can be done to protect people from developing mental health conditions.
Fact: Many factors can protect people from developing mental health conditions, including strengthening social and emotional skills, seeking help and support early on, developing supportive, loving, warm family relationships, and having a positive school environment and healthy sleep patterns.
Myth: A mental health condition is a sign of weakness; if the person were stronger, they would not have this condition.
Fact: A mental health condition has nothing to do with being weak or lacking willpower. It is not a condition people choose to have or not have. In fact, recognizing the need to accept help for a mental health condition requires great strength and courage. Anyone can develop a mental health condition.
Myth: Adolescents who get good grades and have a lot of friends will not have mental health conditions because they have nothing to be depressed about.
Fact: Depression is a common mental health condition resulting from a complex interaction of social, psychological, and biological factors. Depression can affect anyone regardless of their socioeconomic status or how good their life appears at face value. Young people doing well in school may feel pressure to succeed, which can cause anxiety, or they may have challenges at home. They may also experience depression or anxiety for no reason that can be easily identified.
Myth: Bad parenting causes mental conditions in adolescents.
Fact: Many factors – including poverty, unemployment, and exposure to violence, migration, and other adverse circumstances and events – may influence the well-being and mental health of adolescents, their caregivers, and the relationship between them. Adolescents from loving, supportive homes can experience mental health difficulties, as an adolescent from homes where there may be caregivers who need support to maintain an optimum environment for healthy adolescent development. With support, caregivers can play an essential role in helping adolescents to overcome any problems they experience.
Source: https://www.unicef.org/parenting/health/busted-7-myths-about-mental-health