When aware of the current teen mental health facts, it is a wake-up call for many. Our children are our most precious assets and addressing this vital issue is paramount.
Viable solutions are available and can be more easily accessed once awareness is increased. Let’s discuss these facts as well as review some possible remedies.
“It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.”
Teen Mental Health Facts to Consider
- Diagnosable mental health disorders exist in approximately twenty (20%) percent of the teen and adolescent population
- The third cause of death in young adults and adolescents is suicide. This includes young folks from all races, genders, socioeconomic groups, and ages.
- Many mental health challenges first occur during adolescence. This includes anxiety, depression, impulse control problems such as conduct disorders, and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder).
Teens are currently experiencing the negative outcomes of untreated disorders and existing problems only become more intense and complex as teens transition into adulthood.
These problems are reflected in poor school performance, increased dropout rates, risky sexual experimentation, addictions, criminal and gang activity, and strained family relationships. Up to seventy (70%) of kids in the juvenile justice system have some type of mental health disorder that is diagnosable.
What Hinders the Access to Care?
There are services and programs available that can not only address these challenges and problems but also reduce the risk, but many still lack access, and up to thirty-three (33%) percent of adolescents refuse these services and up to seventy (70%) percent do not receive needed care. Why is this?
- Stigma related to mental health challenges reduces utilization and access
- Lack of available insurance coverage
- Poor stability within the living conditions of these children
- Homeless youth have rates of mental disorders up to fifty (50%) percent but they rarely use any type of medical services
- Lack of confidentiality
- Of the 213 pediatric training programs that are accredited, only 25 include training in adolescent medicine
- Not enough specialists and referral services that address the special needs of teens and adolescents
These are just a few of the issues that need to be addressed.
Teen Mental Health Facts Lead to Solutions
“Adolescents are not monsters. They are just people trying to learn how to make it among the adults in the world, who are probably not so sure themselves.”
Once more people are aware of these facts viable solutions will flow forth to be implemented. Cooperation and communication are vital to addressing these issues and providing a well-financed health prevention and response system.
School-based health centers that include mental health services are needed to increase the likelihood that teens will receive these services. Also, programs specifically for teens to increase decision-making skills and have access to positive role models.
From my work in the mental health field, I discovered that teens and adolescents are very resilient and resourceful and respond well to limits and boundaries when presented positively. Schools need to have strategies in place for the prevention and early detection of these mental health challenges.
Since less than one (1%) percent of primary care physicians are board-certified in adolescent medicine, an increase in teen and adolescent specialists is needed as well as more diverse healthcare providers to ensure dropout rates are reduced.
Confidentiality protection must be increased so that more teens seek care. Also, educational programs for parents to assist them in recognizing the emergence of mental health problems.
Awareness is the key to improving this overall situation so that viable solutions will be recognized implemented.
Assistance from the Private Sector
More and more companies are getting involved to address this issue of teen mental health. A nonprofit in Los Angeles is expanding its training of youth mentors, a major entertainment studio is creating plotlines about mental health issues in teen-related shows, and many celebrity athletes are committed to reducing the stigma related to teen mental health issues.
Athletes, youth leaders, tech and media companies as well as local groups are all coming together to address this national youth crisis. To successfully address this issue it is going to take the combined efforts of many different sectors.
Many youth-centered campaigns are coming to the forefront as branded strategies.
When asked why they do not come forth and access needed services many teens say that they do not want to be stigmatized and seen as a broken person and not worth hanging with.
The CW TV network is addressing this by helping to change the narrative around mental health issues related to teens. Products are being developed to promote positive online behavior by the Healthy Gamer Foundation.
“Walk with a Purpose” for Teen Mental Health
I am extremely privileged to be part of a company that is addressing the issues related to Teen Mental Health with its collaboration with shoe manufacturers in producing limited-edition custom shoes featuring original artwork that not only serves as a fashion statement but carries this powerful message:
“It’s okay not to be okay.”
Our vision as a company is encapsulated perfectly with our motto, “Walk with a Purpose”.
Our company, ZENLINEZ, is an extremely unique art-driven entity with a dedication to altering the narrative around mental health with a mission to uplift teens by shattering the debilitating stigmas.
This creative approach is raising awareness at many levels to help teens with mental health challenges gain respect as well as assistance. By joining forces with key foundations in this area we are building a community where mental health issues are discussed and supported.
For additional information Contact me directly to discuss how we may collaborate on this important mission.
Teen Mental Health Facts — An Intuitive Poem
I use a form of intuitive poetry to source our hidden gifts, challenges, and answers. A few weeks ago I asked this question:
How can Teen Mental Health best be served?
Here’s the poetic answer I received.
Dimensional Healing
— Many fragile souls
Have arrived on the scene
With high expectations of Blessings
But instead encountered the mean
— Things haven’t changed for the better
Over the years
Just more pain and suffering
Increasing the fear
— Lost within a world
Both puzzling and insane
Looking for a remedy
To alleviate the pain
–Teen mental health
Is often ignored
But an awakening is happening
Changing lives at the core
— A drastic solution
Is needed more than ever
As the Light descends
Our kids embark on a new endeavor
— A new design is created
On a parallel dimension
What is occurring
Is beyond our comprehension
— A parallel reality
Existing right here and now
Our children are healed
No need to ask how
— Join us all
In creating this shift
This healing is offered
As our Divine Gift
— Let’s walk with a purpose
Into a future that’s bright
Teen mental health
Has embraced the Light!
Joseph William Stasaitis 9/17/2023
Join us now in this great endeavor. Contact me to discuss the details.
In Peace & Love within the Light,
Joseph William
Click Above for All the Details
Your blog post on teen mental health is impactful and timely. The statistics you’ve highlighted emphasize the urgency of addressing this critical issue.
The barriers to accessing care you’ve identified, such as stigma and a lack of specialists, underscore systemic challenges that require a collective response. I appreciate your proactive solutions, especially the emphasis on school-based health centers and positive role models.
The involvement of the private sector, including your company, Zenlinez, is inspiring. The creative approach to raising awareness, such as the collaboration with shoe manufacturers, is commendable.
I’m interested in exploring potential collaborations or ways to contribute to this important mission. Please feel free to reach out, and let’s continue the conversation.
Best regards,
Herman
Thanks, Herman. Your thoughts are most appreciated.
A crtically important message for a collaborative, universal construct for love to conquer the obstacles and challenges that are present and daunting for our next generation to overcome. We must bring forth dedication and action planning for our purpose and mission to ensure a commitment for, individuals, communities, business leaders, foundations and disparate influencers, as well as funding for a future that will depend upon our teens to learn the abilities to embrace new opportunities to form and build significant relationships that mesh to frame the challengs ahead as surmountable to create teen champions for positive change.
Totally agree. Thanks so much for your insights.
Mental health is so important. Of course, it’s important for teens and when you are young and easily influenced your mental health can really cause you to go into different directions once you reach adulthood.
If you had to pick one thing to tell a teenager who is struggling with depression what would it be?
Appreciate your thoughts and comments. I would tell anyone who is depressed is that it is okay to feel how you are feeling and to do their best to just experience the feeling without labeling it this or that. It is the negative labels that keep us stuck and believing we have no options. Once an awareness kicks in that it is only a feeling then a person can work to eliminate the cause by replacing a few limiting beliefs here and there. Here’s an article I wrote a few weeks ago on depression that may be helpful. https://theun-retiredentrepreneur.com/self-help-for-depression/
Joseph, thank you for this incredibly moving and informative article on teen mental health. As a parent of two teenagers, I am deeply concerned about the rising rates of mental health challenges among young people. Your article does a great job of shedding light on this important issue and offering some viable solutions.
I was particularly interested in your poem, “Dimensional Healing.” It beautifully captures the pain and suffering that many teens experience, as well as the hope for a better future. I believe that your creative approach to raising awareness and building community is invaluable.
I have one question for you: What are some specific ways that parents and other adults can support teens who are struggling with mental health challenges?
I am eager to learn more about how I can help my own children and other teens in my community. Thank you for your work on this important issue.
Thanks, Carl, your thoughts and insights are appreciated and most welcome. Parents can be most helpful by doing their best to communicate authentically with their kids and have the patience to wait them out when there is resistance. One’s care and love will eventually break through. Each parent is at a different level in terms of their relationship with their child. Also, it’s important to research what is currently going on in the teen mental health area and connect with other parents, caregivers, and organizations because this is a united effort and most progress is made when people come together on an issue and share valuable insights. Let me know whenever you have any additional question. All the best, Joseph
Hi Joseph,
This is another very important article that you share with us, one that is close to my heart.
I have a niece of 15 and a nephew of 18, so I am going to share your article with their parents and encourage them to read it thoroughly and make any comments or ask any questions. If that is OK with you?
When I was a teenager, if anybody mentioned my mental health, I thought they were stupid or a bit of a pansy 🙂
But these days, we must understand just how important it is to talk to our teenagers about this issue.
When I see my niece and nephew next I will try to involve this topic in our conversation somehow, without being too forward or forceful.
Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work as always.
All the best,
Tom
Thanks so much Tom for your sincere thoughts and feedback. This is an extremely important issue and is being addressed more and more as awareness increases. Please share the article as it is meant to create a positive difference. All the Best, Joseph
This is amazing and I too am so honored to be a part of this team and this cause! Lets do this!!!
Thanks, Dylan. Looking forward to working together in making a major impact with Teen Mental Health!
Thank you, Joseph, for this enlightening article on teen mental health. It’s a critical reminder of the challenges our youth face and the collective action required to help support them. Your initiatives, like Zenlinez’s “Walk with a Purpose,” offer a creative avenue for raising awareness and really fostering a supportive and wholesome community. Wondering where I can get some custom sneaks!
Similarly, my project employs AI technology with a vision to revolutionize the foster care system, and reskinning our system in multiple ways including child suicide prevention. By creating a more responsive and empathetic system, we hope to identify and address mental health challenges early on, offering a lifeline to those in dire need.
I see a strong alignment between our missions and believe there’s potential for significant synergy. Collaborating could amplify our efforts in combating mental health issues among youth. Let’s discuss how we can join forces to make an impact.
Thanks for your thoughts and insights, Crystal. I look forward to collaborating. Joseph