Understanding Common Mental Health Challenges Faced by Teens 

Article written by: Denver teen therapist, Lauren Battista, LPC, NCC, LSC

To understand the common mental health challenges faced by teens, we need to first start with the current state of adolescent mental health.

The Current State of Adolescent Mental Health

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, mental illness and struggles with mental health are at an all-time high, especially among children and teenagers.

Now, more than ever, it is important to address and understand the factors affecting adolescent mental health.

To better understand, let’s take a look at a few important labels and factors. 

Mental Health vs. Mental Illness

First and foremost, it is important to differentiate between the terms mental health and mental illness. While the terms are often used interchangeably, they each apply to distinct aspects of psychological well-being.

Mental health refers to our overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being, and is just as important as our physical health in contributing to our overall well-being.

Mental illness refers to diagnosed conditions that significantly impact our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. 

It is important to understand that while we all have mental health, not everyone has a mental illness. 

Factors Impacting Adolescent Mental Health

Poor mental health can affect every aspect of a teenager’s life. Only when we understand the myriad of challenges today’s teenagers face can we effectively address these mental health struggles. 

When one’s mental health is suffering, the results can include mood irregularities, a lack of self-esteem and confidence, struggles with school and grades, isolation from peers, difficulties in making rational decisions and other harmful behaviors.  

Let’s take a closer look at some of the common issues teenagers face that contribute to mental health struggles: 

1. Discovering their identity:

Adolescents spend much of their time in a sea of peers who are experimenting with how they present and express themselves. The multitude of options is confusing and challenging.

The process of discovering who we are is highly social, and is influenced by messages from our friends, family members, teachers, coaches, and social media.  

For many teens, aspects of their identity might not be viewed as “acceptable” by these groups, and social rejection feels really scary at this age! 

2. Peer Pressure:

Instances of bullying and unrelenting peer pressure can have a detrimental impact on a teenager’s self-esteem and mental well-being.

Read More: “What Parents Need To Know About Social Media And Teens’ Self-Esteem”

Recognizing when and how to set boundaries is a skill that can be difficult for teens, as they are constantly gathering information on what might jeopardize their chances of feeling happy and connected.

Adolescents often struggle to differentiate their true selves from the expectations imposed upon them by others.

The pressure to conform can push them to say and do things that are far outside their comfort zones, potentially leading to self-harming behaviors and other dangerous habits.

3. Social Media Influences:

In the digital age, the influence of social media on adolescents’ self-image and self-worth cannot be ignored.

Teens already struggle with self-control and can easily get wrapped up in the unrealistic ideals that they see on social media, which can be damaging to self-esteem and their concept of reality.

Plus, technology and social media can become extremely time-consuming and even addictive if there are not healthy limits being set.

4. Academic Pressure:

Teens are constantly comparing themselves to their peers, and this happens in the academic realm as well.

Teens are under a great deal of stress to perform at a high level academically, which can lead to stress, anxiety, perfectionism, and low self-esteem.

5. Lack of adequate support:

While mental health support may be available in schools, there is often limited emphasis on prevention and early interventions.

Plus, ever-increasing caseloads for school mental health staff can make it challenging for all students to access these resources.

In addition, many teens don’t have access to resources to help outside of the school setting either. They may be in environments where seeking help is stigmatized at home or with friends.

6. Exposure to adversity:

The impacts of issues such as global conflict, violence, discrimination, financial worries, and politics views can cause teens to feel unsafe and confused.

Regardless of their proximity or direct involvement, they all have impact.

On top of that, teens and their friends may have differing views and experiences with these issues which can cause strain or tension in their relationships.

It may also lead some teens to feeling alone.

What promotes healthy life skills and the well-being of teens?

Addressing the mental health challenges of adolescents can be complex, but there are many proactive strategies to improve their well-being and promote healthy life skills.  

Keep in mind that these are suggestions that must be altered based on an individual’s unique circumstances.

There is no “right” or “wrong” way to engage with any of the strategies listed below. There are ways to modify each practice based on what resources are available.

Connect with community:

Being connected and having a place where one can feel like oneself is extremely important to healthy development during adolescence.

Opportunities such as joining a club or after-school program, playing on a sports team, or learning a new skill or hobby allow teens to figure out what THEY like and dislike, what THEY want, feel, and think, and this allows them to act in ways that are in accordance with their values.  

**WellPower offers free monthly wellness classes & groups that support well-being for youth ages 15-26. In an inclusive, welcoming setting. Check out their calendar of upcoming events here!  

Self-Care Practices:

Read More: “5 Ways to Build a Mindfulness Practice as A Teen”

Engaging in self-care practices such as journaling, meditation or mindfulness exercises, deep breathing, physical activity, spending time outside, and listening to music can help manage stress and promote well-being. 

Journaling or writing down thoughts can help organize thoughts and feelings.

It can lead to answers or more questions worth asking. journaling is a great way to contain thoughts that may get in the way.

Learning to work up to being in the present moment with mindfulness or meditation can help with regulating emotions and shifting perspective.

There are free apps such as Insight Timer, Calm, and Aura that make it easy to explore different options for getting started with these practices.

Healthy Relationships:

Building healthy relationships with friends, positive adults and loved ones can provide valuable emotional support and promote a positive sense of belonging.

Identifying a dedicated support system, whether it is family, friends, or a combination of both, can provide a safety net for teenagers during challenging times.

Being able to have discussions with trusted adults about what to do if their values become compromised can allow teens to feel prepared to handle challenging situations with more confidence.  

Good Physical Health and Solid Routines:

Prioritizing nutrition, exercise, and sleep can significantly contribute to improving mental health, along with limiting exposure to time spent on screens. 

Simply incorporating some movement each day and adding more nutrient dense foods to what’s already being eaten can make a dent.

Even carrying a water bottle to remind yourself to hydrate can make a big difference.

It doesn’t have to be extreme or rigid to be helpful. 

Engage Professional Help: 

If a teen is struggling with body image, depression, motivation, school, friendships, confidence, substance use or other challenges, encouraging them to try harder, may not be the best approach.

Read More: “Resilience Helps Teens Thrive. Learn How To Build Resilient Teens”

Seeking professional help from a healthcare professional can help rule out whether there may be something medically going on that might be causing some challenges.

A therapist can help get to the bottom of what might be going on that makes making healthier choices hard.

A mental health professional is essential in ruling out depression, anxiety, learning differences, substance abuse, disordered eating or other various issues that often are underlying and not always obvious on the surface.

Therapists who specialize in working with teens can help teens learn ways of coping, come up with a plan of action (that may take time) and work with teens to come up with a path to well-being that aligns with their values and circumstances.

Unconventional tips for feeling better as a teen:

Use social media to your advantage!

Follow POSITIVE accounts; people that make you feel better about yourself, feel inspired and uplifted; ones that make you laugh and smile.

Follow accounts that post motivational content or can allow you to relate to them in ways that involve sharing struggles they have overcome or are currently dealing with.

Another tip—set limits on how much time you will allow yourself to spend on each app!

Imagine what else you could be doing with that extra time that could be useful to feeling good in the here-and-now, like making memories with friends and family.

Volunteer!

Activities that let you help others who need support can be rewarding and allow an immediate shift in perspective. Find a local animal shelter, a food bank, or nursing home to spend a few hours at once a month. 

Children’s Hospital Colorado has programs for teens aged 13-18 to get involved with volunteering.

Denver Dumb Friends League has opportunities to volunteer and support animals for youth ages 16 and up.

Food Bank of the Rockies is another wonderful place to volunteer for youth ages 10 and up.

Urban Peak Denver provides a full range of services and volunteer opportunities to help youth ages 15-24 experiencing homelessness  

Create a feel-good playlist:

Set aside time to BLAST your favorite music. Allow yourself to sing, dance, cry, MOVE in whatever way your body desires.

This practice can be very freeing and joyful!  

Gain perspective:

Ask yourself “will this matter in 1 year? In 5 years? 10 years?”

Perspective can help you create some distance between yourself and whatever problem is consuming you.   

The Importance of Adolescent Mental Health: Nurturing Well-Being

In summary, adolescents face all kinds of challenges as they navigate the complexities of growing up.

Recognizing these challenges and promoting strategies for self-care is vital for safeguarding their mental well-being.

By taking proactive steps to address adolescent mental health, we can help them navigate the challenges of youth with more resilience and confidence.

Rather than merely addressing a specific phase of their lives, the goal is to set the stage for a healthier and more promising future.  

If you or your teen is struggling with these suggestions, our teen therapists at Denver Metro Counseling can help. We offer a variety of services to help teenagers, young adults and their parents/caregivers in navigating the stressors that adolescent years can bring.

Reach out to connect!  

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Denver Therapist, Lauren Battista

Lauren joined Denver Metro Counseling in 2023. She loves working with teens and comes from a background of working in the schools as a school counselor.

Lauren is engaging and eager to connect with her clients. Her experience in the schools sets her up for understanding first-hand what is going on with our teens, what is trending on social media, and what their collective mental health state is.

Lauren is passionate about coming alongside teens to help them feel empowered, supported, and understood in ways that differ from their other relationships.

With an understanding of the various pressure that teens and their families face, Lauren has been able to provide individualized support and a place where they can express themselves without fear of judgment or being told what they “should” be doing.

To get your teen started in therapy with Lauren, reach out today to book a session.