Sep 4, 2024
It’s no secret that teenage mental health is struggling across the country. 2020 saw all-time high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts for American teenagers. Since then, states have scrambled to free up funding and implement quality mental health care for students and teenagers in their area. The result has been positive, but a lot of work still needs to be done.
In 2023, 4 out of every 10 students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, a primary symptom of depression, according to the CDC. 2 in 10 students seriously thought about committing suicide.
Depression is the most common diagnosis given to teens. The questions remain why and what can be done about it? Let’s explore that below.
Depression in Youth
Around 29% of high school students experienced poor mental health in 2023, according to a CDC study. The “Youth Risk Behavior Survey” is run by the CDC and analyzes youth mental health trends over the last 10 years. The most recent survey analyzed data from 2023-2023. Here’s what they found:
- Nearly all indicators of poor mental health and suicidal thoughts worsened over the last ten years.
- The percentage of students who experienced “persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness” (a common symptom in depression) increased from 30% in 2013 to 40% in 2023.
- “Seriously considering suicide” increased from 17% to 20%
However, there was some hope found in this study. In 2021, a year after the COVID-19 pandemic decimated youth mental health, many states implemented stronger mental health resources for teenagers. The changes mattered. Nearly all indicators of poor mental health actually improved by around 2%. In 2021, 42% of youth experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. In 2023, that percentage was down to 40%. The same is true for indicators of suicide ideation and attempts.
2% is not enough in the scope of teenager’s mental health; 40% depression rates are still much too high. It is, however, a start, and one mental health practitioners can capitalize on.
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Symptoms of Depression in Teens
It can be hard to distinguish depression from normal teenager mood swings. In general, look for changes in behavior and mood that last longer than 2 weeks or negatively impact their ability to actively participate in their lives. Also, if a teenager brings up their mental health to you, listen to them. They’re probably struggling more than you think (even if they “seem” fine), and requests for help should always be taken seriously. (Need tips on how to talk to your teenager about mental health? Read this article.)
Symptoms of depression in teenagers include:
- Persistent Sadness: Feeling down or hopeless most of the time.
- Loss of Interest: Losing interest in activities they once enjoyed.
- Changes in Appetite or Weight: Significant changes in eating habits resulting in weight loss or gain.
- Sleep Problems: Either sleeping too much or too little.
- Fatigue: Feeling constantly tired or lacking energy.
- Difficulty Concentrating: Struggling to focus, remember things, or make decisions.
- Feelings of Guilt or Worthlessness: Experiencing excessive guilt or feelings of worthlessness.
- Irritability or Anger: Reacting with more irritability or anger than usual.
- Physical Aches and Pains: Complaining about unexplained physical symptoms like headaches or stomach aches.
- Thoughts of Death or Suicide: Expressing thoughts of death or suicide, even indirectly.
Stress in teenagers is normal, but it can quickly get out of control. If you know someone experiencing these symptoms, connect them with a mental health professional such as a school counselor or local therapist.
What states have the worst teenage mental health?
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The 2023 Mental Health in America survey ranked states based on their teenage population’s overall mental health and access to quality mental health care. Therapy for teenagers is a powerful tool to help teenagers cope with everyday life, recover from mental illnesses, and develop resiliency against future mental health issues.
The survey found the following results.
National average:
- Teenagers who experienced a major depressive episode: 16%
- Teenagers who experienced severe depression: 11.5%
New Jersey:
- Teenagers who experienced a major depressive episode: 12.5%
- Teenagers who experienced severe depression: 7.5%
Find a teen therapist in New Jersey.
Georgia:
- Teenagers who experienced a major depressive episode: 14.5%
- Teenagers who experienced severe depression: 10%
Find a teen therapist in Georgia.
Texas:
- Teenagers who experienced a major depressive episode: 17%
- Teenagers who experienced severe depression: 10%
Find a teen therapist in Texas.
Virginia:
- Teenagers who experienced a major depressive episode: 15.7%
- Teenagers who experienced severe depression: 19.5%
Why are teenagers feeling depressed?
Many causes contribute to depression. In recent years, the COVID-19 Pandemic wreaked havoc on many student’s lives. Cut off from their social circles and unsure of what the future held for them, rates of depression skyrocketed during that time. In 2023, only 55% of students felt close to their peers at school, and 77% used social media many times throughout the day.
Social connectedness has a clear connection to depression; a strong support group is a protective factor against depression. Social media’s influence on mental health is less clear; it can have both positive and negative effects. The main positive effect is its ability to build community virtually. If students are using social media in this way, it likely acts as a protective factor. However, if they don’t feel connected with their peers on social media, it is likely having an adverse effect.
How to Improve Teenager’s Mental Health?
The decline of our adolescent’s mental health has not gone unnoticed. States began responding to the rise in depression in schools during 2020. The effort is ongoing. Some techniques being used to help teenagers with their mental health include:
- Raising parent awareness: Improving the discussion around mental health is a vital first step in addressing teenage mental health. Many teenagers don’t feel comfortable with or don't know how to talk about their mental health with their parents. As a parent, it can be hard to know when your teenager’s mood is a normal part of growing up and when it is indicative of a larger problem. Knowing how to identify teenage depression is important for parents and caregivers.
- Utilizing online therapy: Many states and school districts have begun outsourcing their therapy needs to online therapy practices. There is a nationwide drought of mental health professionals, meaning there are too many kids who need help and not enough therapists who can help them. To solve this problem, many school districts have begun partnering with online teen therapists who can meet with their students one-on-one for affordable therapy.
- Promoting mindfulness and other healthy coping mechanisms: Substance Use is also increasing in conjunction with depression. This is likely an unhealthy coping mechanism students are using to handle the stresses of everyday life and mental illness. To combat this, many schools are implementing mindfulness into their daily school routine. Mindfulness isn’t always meditation; it is simply noticing what you are thinking and feeling in a non-judgmental way.
Teenage mental health often starts at home: parents should be equipped to handle their teenager’s mental health to the best of their ability, and know the best resources near them when they cannot.
One of those resources is Lifebulb Counseling and Therapy. Lifebulb has over a hundred therapists located across the states, including in Texas, New Jersey, Virginia, and Georgia. Browse our list of therapists near you to find a therapist that fits your teenager’s needs. We are a virtual therapy company that can meet your child where they are at.
For more information or to schedule an appointment today, give our support team a call.
