EMPOWERMENT TECHNOLOGY #MENTALHEALTHADVOCACY

Teenage Mental Health

Awareness
Globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experiences a mental
disorder, accounting for 13% of the global burden of disease in
this age group. Depression, anxiety and behavioural disorders
are among the leading causes of illness and disability among
adolescents. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death
among 12-19year-olds. Theconsequences of failing to address
adolescent mental health conditions extend to adulthood,
impairing both physical and mental health and limiting
opportunities to lead fulfilling lives as adults.
Untreated Mental Illness in Teens
Teens who experience symptoms of mental illness may not know that what they’re experiencing is a
problem which requires professional help. For instance, a teen who experienced trauma and then
subsequently experienced symptoms but never received treatment might be suffering from
depression, anxiety, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) without knowing it. It’s easy to dismiss
certain emotional experiences as part of adolescence. Furthermore, it can be hard to identify mental
illness in teens if it seems to be a “normal” part of one’s experience. Common reasons why parents
may not see that their teen is struggling with a mental illness includes. (1)Parents want to give their
teen space. (2)Mental illness is so common in the family it’s hard to see. (3)Mental illness is so
uncommon in the family, it’s hard to see. (4)Parents may not be emotionally attuned with their teen.
Whether you and your teen are getting along well or having challenges, it is important to show that you
love and support them, that you can help them navigate tough times and that you are always there for
them. Here are four things to keep in mind when having that ‘how-are-you-doing?’ conversation with
your teen and to show that you are always there for them.
1. Encourage them to share their feelings

Look for ways to check in with your teen. Ask them how their day has been and what they have
been doing. It could be by inviting them to join you in a task, such as preparing dinner, so you can
use the time to chat about their day.
2. Take the time to support them
Work together on setting up new routines and achievable daily goals. You could fit in home chores
around school work or set a target like getting homework done before dinner.
3. Work through conflict together
Be honest and transparent with your teen: you can
let them know that you are experiencing extra
stress as well. Showing them how you deal with
your own difficult feelings can help them know
their feelings are okay.
4. Care for yourself
Make time for your own relationships. Try to find
a few people that you can share feelings and
experiences with. Set aside some time with them
each day, to check in on how you are feeling.
"You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to
stop letting them control you." — Dan Millman
Tumawag sa National Center for Mental Health Hotline ( NCMH-USAP)
0917-899-USAP (8727) 7-989-USAP (8727)
MA. ANTONETTE GUMBAN #EHTEKPROJECT
LORICE FAITH ESMAYAN 11 ABM EUCLID
ANGEL MAY GELERA
FRACIS JAMES IRABON