CDC findings indicate that 44% of teens reported persistent sadness and hopelessness in the first half of 2021. Based on an online survey, the early 2022 report found that nearly 20% of respondents had seriously considered suicide, and 9% had attempted suicide.
There has been an increase in teen mental illness over the past decade, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The role that parents can play in supporting teen mental health has received little attention. Parents and caregivers partly drive the urgent mental health crisis among teens. When teens and parents have different perspectives, expectations, and goals, it can be challenging for mental health professionals to incorporate parents into treatment.
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The Teenage Years Can Be Brutal
Parents often dread the teenage years in anticipation of mood swings, risky behaviors, and endless arguments. Sleep deprivation is a physical problem among teens, partly because of school start times that are over early and hormonal changes associated with puberty. It can make teenagers irritable and vulnerable to stress.
Mental Health Symptoms And Signs
Teenage trauma such as bullying, dating violence, sexual harassment, and assault can drastically affect behaviors. Anxiety and depression can manifest as irritability, which can be interpreted as disrespect and laziness by parents. It is challenging to understand why those behaviors exist. It’s common for teens to keep their struggles secret.
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Parents Can Play A Powerful Role
Parents play a critical role in helping teens cope and develop their emotional well-being. Behavioral strategies can often be the first defense when dealing with mental health problems, but good sleep and exercise can also help. Traditional family members may also benefit from behavior management strategies taught to foster parents. In addition, parents can reinforce self-esteem and foster self-efficacy in their teens.
Inadequacies In Mental Health Care
Despite a growing demand for mental health care, there is a dire shortage of mental health professionals in the U.S. By limiting the number of in-network providers and approved sessions, and insurance companies make mental health care difficult to access.