Teen Mental Health Causes Concern
Throughout human history, the brain has been the key factor in our survival and adaptation. One’smental health is what primarily impacts their behavior, body, and overall quality of life. It is no secret that mental Illness has been impacting the lives of millions worldwide for centuries; however, in today’s society, the mental health of teens should cause grave concerns. While some say that one of the worst points of our nation’s mental health took place during The Great Depression or during the wars, people seem to neglect the urgency of the present.
Teenagers today all do what teenagers have done for decades. They drive around, skateboard, listen to music, shop, work, play sports, etc. One thing teenagers have today that is different from teenagers twenty years ago is the time they spend scrolling their smartphones and using other modernized technologies. With the internet and seemingly the whole world at their fingertips, young people from an early age have become far more exposed to the happenings in the world around them, so much so, that it’s spreading awareness all across the globe.
Teenagers today grow up knowing and witnessing the horrors of terrorism, hateful politics, global climate and destruction, financial struggles, hate crimes, and so on. As a result, today’s youth has become more aware and more panicked by all of these events and issues. Of course, in many ways, this is a good thing. Instead of living in ignorance and bliss, today’s teens wake up with the knowledge that our world is far from perfect and may in fact be falling apart. Understandably, spikes in depression and anxiety have increased in recent years as more people, in general, are exposed to such knowledge.
According to the World Health Organization as of November 17th, 2021, suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds.
The world is an uncertain place and young people often fear having to live in society. Minorities and other disenfranchised groups are at even more risk of falling prey to hate crimes, being denied basic rights, or shortened life expectancy. People of color have been treated extremely unfairly by the system and government, even after centuries of fighting for equal rights and justice. Further, transgender people who choose to express themselves and simply want to feel comfortable in their skin, are often despised and teased. Ignorance clouds the judgment of many and people tend to fear what they don’t understand. In my very own country, the United States of America and the land of the free, transgender people are being treated as criminals in some states for simply taking hormones to make them happier and more at ease in their own bodies, especially in states such as Florida and Texas due to new laws that have been passed in each state.
Other important topics include Roe vs. Wade being overthrown after decades of protecting women to have the right to abortion and to have the right of deciding what they want to do with their bodies. Another issue includes global climate change, a worldwide problem that is doing almost irreversible and severe damage to our planet. Inflation, unequal pay, and low minimum wage make families struggle to get by and many families are being forced more into poverty. Wars and terrorism stretched around the world have people dying and suffering every day. Generation Z is the future of this world and we are terrified of what is to come.
Along with the internet comes social media, something that often antagonizes the insecurities of many young people. Eating disorders, depression, and poor self-image fueled by social media place young people at a very high risk of fully developing even more mental health disorders. Besides social media, schools can be a place where many teenagers have low self-esteem and feel pressured by others to “fit in” and meet standards.
Simply put, the school system is not accustomed to neurodivergent people, and so many people with ADHD, Autism, and other mental disorders that can affect their learning all too often struggle to thrive in such an environment when their needs aren’t met. Though there are certain things schools are doing to help people, such as issuing 504 plans and offering counseling, the system is draining for most teens and children. Sadly, many parents and schools fail to recognize or neglect the mental health issues of many children and teens, which affects how that child or young adult grows up.
According to the World Health Organization, “The consequences 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.”
Teens getting ready to enter college and the workforce are afraid that they will not have the money to live a stable life. Colleges and universities are costing thousands of dollars more than they use to and more students are taking out large student loans that snowball into lifelong debt in some cases. Many jobs that pay minimum wage aren’t enough to even pay rent and get enough groceries for one person. More young adults are living with their parents longer, even if they have good-paying jobs and degrees. Society has pressured teens for so long that college is the route to success, which is not true for everyone, and all too often young people feel trapped and don’t know which path to take.
This is just the surface of the effects society has on young adults and teens today. It’s no surprise that under these circumstances, mental health is plummeting and more young people are committing suicide because they feel as though there is no way out of this. We are human, which means realistically our world will never be completely peaceful or safe. Yet, there are big and small steps that we can all take to improve the quality of life of everyone and the quality of our society’s future. The first and most important step is to realize that something needs to be changed and it needs to happen soon.
The best way for you or anyone you know that is struggling to seek help is from counselors and mental health professionals. Spread your voice, reach out, and connect with your peers. Talk to your teachers and come up with plans to help you stay on track. Don’t stop doing the things you love and express your concerns through the art or the work you create. Together, the youth of today can conquer the terrors in our lives and rise victorious and ready to lead the future.
