Mental Health
Just like physical health, every kid has mental health: an emotional wellbeing that shifts with what's happening inside them and in the world around them. Ups and downs are a normal part of growing up: stress and sadness belong right alongside joy and pride. But when harder feelings go unsupported, they can grow into something more serious. The good news is that you play a powerful role in helping your kid build coping and resilience, and real support is here when they need it.
Influencing Factors
In short, everything influences adolescent mental health. From biology and family history to the pressures of social media and the world at large, it all adds up. But some issues carry a heavier burden than others. Tap any card to learn more about each factor and what you can do to help
Today's adolescents face the normal challenges of growing up while also navigating a world that is more connected, complex, and uncertain than ever before. In addition to academic expectations, social dynamics, extracurricular commitments, and planning for the future, many young people are exposed to a constant stream of information about violence, conflict, disasters, and other global events.
They participate in active shooter drills at school, spend much of their social lives online, and often compare themselves to carefully curated images and unrealistic standards presented on social media. At the same time, many are increasingly aware of social and economic inequities and uncertainty about the future.
While some stress is a normal part of adolescence, the cumulative weight of these pressures can affect a young person's sense of safety, belonging, self-worth, and hope. When stress becomes chronic or overwhelming, it can impact mood, sleep, concentration, relationships, and overall mental well-being.
Experiences such as abuse, neglect, household dysfunction, exposure to violence, or other significant stressors can have lasting effects on mental and physical health. While not every child who experiences adversity develops mental health challenges, ACEs can increase vulnerability to anxiety, depression, and difficulties with emotional regulation.
The presence of supportive relationships and early intervention can help reduce these risks.
Technology and social media are deeply woven into adolescent life. While they can provide opportunities for connection, learning, and self-expression, they can also contribute to social comparison, cyberbullying, and unrealistic expectations.
Heavy technology use may also interfere with sleep, face-to-face relationships, and time spent on activities that support mental well-being.
Many young people experience pressure to succeed academically, participate in extracurricular activities, and prepare for future educational or career opportunities. While achievement can be motivating, excessive pressure can contribute to stress, anxiety, perfectionism, and burnout.
Adolescents benefit when effort, growth, and well-being are valued alongside performance.
Adolescence is a time of exploring identity, values, interests, and relationships. Questions about who they are and where they fit can be both exciting and challenging. Feeling accepted, respected, and connected to others plays an important role in supporting positive mental health during this period of development.
If a young person in your family identifies with a biological, psychological or social difference in identity, such as neurodiversity or LGBTQ+ identification, they may be facing greater challenges, reflecting a need for greater support to maintain positive mental health.
Young people are affected by the environments in which they live, learn, and grow. Family conflict, financial strain, housing instability, discrimination, community violence, and other stressors can affect a child's sense of safety and security.
Ongoing stress can make it more difficult for adolescents to cope with everyday challenges and maintain emotional well-being.
Adolescence is a period of rapid brain development, physical growth, and hormonal change. These developmental shifts can contribute to stronger emotions, increased sensitivity to social experiences, and changes in behavior.
Understanding that some emotional ups and downs are a normal part of development can help parents respond with patience and support.
Mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of parenting style, family circumstances, or personal strengths. Genetics and family history can influence a young person's risk for conditions such as anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
Recognizing symptoms early and seeking support when needed can improve outcomes and help young people thrive.
Risks
For most young people, the ups and downs of mental health are a normal part of growing up. But for a growing number of adolescents, challenges are becoming more frequent, more intense, and longer-lasting. Understanding these risks isn't about assuming the worst, it's about knowing when to seek support early.
Resilience
Some people may naturally seem to be born with greater resilience, but this is in fact a skill that can be learned. The Seven C’sare a framework developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, which guides us in understanding the key traits to foster for resilience. Click on any of the 7 Cs to learn more about how to help your kids build them into their lives.
Coping
Coping is our way of managing the tough stuff. We may cope in ways that positively impact our health and wellbeing, or we may cope in ways that ultimately weaken our health and wellbeing. Because mental health issues are a primary driver of unhealthy coping through substance misuse, and because our young people are experiencing substantial physical, emotional and social changes during this stage, coping skills are especially important for them to develop and practice.
Keep Exploring
Understanding your child's emotional world is the first step; the next is knowing how to show up for it. Head into What You Can Do: the small, steady, research-backed things that make the biggest difference.
