Being a teenager is hard. Wild hormonal shifts, academic or athletic performance pressures, social influences, and relationship stressors can take a serious toll on mental health. Throw in a pandemic that has found our kids isolated more than they ever expected, and we’ve got a recipe for disaster.
This post is sponsored by Crisis Connections.
Consider these statistics (during normal times):
- One in eight teens has a mental health condition.
- Half of all mental health conditions begin by age 14 – but often go undetected for years, impacting success and performance in adulthood.
- Suicide is the second leading cause of death for children age 12-18.
- 33% of adolescents in America are victim to sexual, physical, verbal, or emotional dating abuse.
- 1 in 3 young people will be in an abusive or unhealthy relationship.
- 86% of teenagers know someone who smokes, drinks, or uses drugs during the school day.
- One-third of kids have tried alcohol by the eighth grade.
- One in five teenagers are regular alcohol users, and teenagers are more likely to binge drink than other age groups.
Isolation and loneliness correlate with increased mental health problems, so it only stands to reason that many kids are struggling more than ever. Now, the good news:
- The vast majority of kids identify that they value their parents’ opinions over their friends’ when it comes to serious decisions.
- 90% of teens understand that their mothers care about them.
- Many kids want to be closer to their parents, but they don’t know how – or don’t want to worry them with their problems.
As parents, it’s our job to support our kids through these tough times. Sometimes we can handle it. Sometimes we need extra help. And sometimes, we give them resources to reach out to places where they feel comfortable, heard, and understood.
Teen Link offers phone, text, email, and chat support for teens and parents of teens. Share this resource with your teen, and use it yourself for advice on how to support an adolescent in your life who’s struggling.
Teen volunteers are trained to listen to your concerns and talk with you about whatever’s on your mind – bullying, drug and alcohol concerns, relationships, stress, depression or any other issues you’re facing. No issue is too big or too small! Calls and chats are confidential.
Our crisis specialists are available to talk by phone from 6-10 pm and chat or text from 6-9:30 pm every night. You can also call to connect with our substance use specialist from 2-10 pm Mon-Fri. (Call the same number and press 2) Text/Chat is available from 6pm – 10pm.
Learn more at teenlink.org. Then share this free resource with your teen!
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