Acting Out: Understanding Causes of Deteriorating Mental Health of Adolescents
Adolescence is a period in which young individuals struggle to fit in, both emotionally and psychologically. They are more vulnerable to discrimination, social exclusion, family conflict, educational troubles, and trauma, all of which can lead to mental health issues. It’s a period of transition, adjustment, and realizing your place in the world.
Many of these reasons are especially pertinent during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Remaining indoors and being unable to go to school or meet friends, as well as dealing with financial concerns, political disruption, and family issues, has indeed been exceptionally difficult on teens.
According to studies, teenagers have demonstrated increased anxiety, paranoia, and stress since the outbreak of the pandemic. When individuals are confined in households together for unusually long periods of time, family friction tends to escalate; this has an impact on one’s schooling and job ambitions as well. When an adolescent feels uncomfortable in their surroundings and has no option to flee, it can have serious consequences on their mental health.
Generally speaking, some teenagers are more likely to develop mental health problems as a result of their living circumstances, stigma, discrimination, or exclusion, or a lack of access to appropriate support and services. Teenage years are characterized by a high level of socialization. We enjoy having a sense of community and safety nets, as well as being engaged in activities. Being unable to engage in or participate in the same activities as others due to lack of resources or discrimination might make people feel really depressed.
Adolescence is also when our bodies begin to change. These changes can often lead to insecurities and hatred for one’s body. In some cases, it may even give teenagers gender dysphoria to see their bodies mature. Some teenagers can feel embarrassed about growing breasts, menstruation, cracking voices, having mood swings- even though this is all very normal at this age.
During this time, we also begin to feel more deeply. We may face our first heartbreaks in these years, or face real disappointment and rejection. This can have a huge impact on one’s self esteem, and in essence, their mental health.
Things such as climate change, economic crises for countries, unemployment growing in the nation can also be anxiety-riding for teenagers to grow up in. It can make them feel hopeless about the future or the state of the world.
There’s many factors that are contributing to the deteriorating mental health of adolescents, and it is an issue that we must take seriously. It is important to reach out, offer help, and ensure that people are receiving adequate professional help when required.
Sources: https://www.tpoftampa.com/increase-in-adolescent-mental-health-issues/
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/child-and-adolescent-mental-health