INFLUENCING FACTORS

In addition to the normal trials of adolescence, our teens are dealing with a lot. They are a generation exposed to unfathomable amounts of unfiltered information. They have active shooter drills in school. They are keenly aware of an unstable and insecure world. Their already sensitive self-images are now measured against social media’s influencers. Inequities and the gap between have and have not is far wider than it was a generation ago. All of these exposures impact their sense of self, sense of safety, and hope for the future. 

Mental Health starts in the brain, and all of our brains are a little bit different. A family history of mental health disorders or underlying differences in an individual’s brain chemistry can impact the likelihood that a person will experience mental health challenges. We also know that mental health is a key consideration during puberty due to significant changes in hormones, physiology and social dynamics.

If your teen identifies with a biolgocial, psychological or social difference in identity, they may be facing greater challenges to their mental health. For example, a teen with neurdiversity or a learning difference that isn’t being adequately supported, may be experiencing feelings of inadequacy, pressure or negative self-talk.  A teen who identifies as LGBTQ may face discrimination, structural obstacles to their achievement, and even family or community rejection. These teens may need specific support to maintain positive mental health.

ACES stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences, and we have a lot of research to tell us that when kids experience really tough stuff in childhood, there is a higher risk for developing negative health outcomes later in life. It’s important to know that many of us have at least one ACE in our lives, and we have overcome the issue and grown into healthy adults. But with more adverse experienecs, there is also a higher risk and a compelling need for earlier intervention to build coping skills and healing for a healthy adulthood. Some ACES include: experiences of neglect or abuse, parental substance use disorder, witnessing violence, parental separation or divorce, loss of a close family member through death or incarceration, and other traumatic events.