One in every five teenagers has some form of mental illness. 

That’s mental. 

Of the five people you may sit by during class, it is probable that at least one of them is struggling with mental health issues. This is a problem for many teenagers, and we need to better understand common mental health issues that many teens face.

Leslie Singleton is a School Counselor who has worked for Edmond Public Schools for 17 years and in education for 26 years. She has a master’s in Education and Administration. She currently is the At Risk Counselor for Boulevard Academy, where she specializes in helping students who are at risk for engaging or are currently engaging in harmful or destructive behaviors. 

So What is Mental Health? 

Singleton describes mental health as “how we think, feel, and act. Our mental health determines how we handle stress, cope with struggles, relate and interact with others, and determine whether we make healthy choices.”

Our Generation 

We asked Singleton if mental health issues that teenagers face are real or if they are something this generation has made up because older generations often mock Gen Z on their openness to subjects such as anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts, and accuse them of complaining.

“It is definitely not something your ‘soft’ generation has made up. Your ‘soft’ generation has forced everyone to begin conversations about mental health, instead of ignoring and trying to hide it,” Singleton states. 

This is true in recent times; people are much more open about talking about mental health issues such as depression and anxiety and how they deal with them. Due to this openness, the stigmatization is slowly drifting away, but it still exists. Gen Z are better communicators when it comes to addressing feelings and mental health problems, but we still face many struggles. 

Social Media 

Social media plays a huge role in the increase in mental health issues. The load of information that is shared through social media is something that not even an average adult can healthily process, let alone a teenager. This in turn can leave teens feeling overwhelmed and lead to mental problems. In fact, teens who spend more than 3 hours a day on social media have a greater risk of having mental health issues. 

Cyberbullying is another factor that leads to poor mental health. Sixty-three percent of teens have been cyberbullied in some shape or form like rumor-spreading, name-calling and threatening online.

Teens have no idea how impactful comments they make online can be.

“When someone makes a negative comment or says something hateful, that is ALL you can think about! Research shows it takes 4 positive comments to distract you from the one negative,” states Singleton. 

Taking steps to prevent and control cyberbullying is a good way to turn things around. “We have to make a conscious effort to increase the number of positive thoughts we have,” states Singleton. Being kind and understanding can have a positive impact on your own mental health, and those who you interact with online.

Effects On The People Around You

Mental health issues not only affect the person suffering from them but also their friends and family.

Singleton tells us, “When someone is struggling, their mood may be more negative. So others around them may feel left out or pushed away. Arguments may start, and people may say things they regret out of fear, anger, and sadness”. 

This can cause tensions that didn’t exist prior and can drive people, who were originally close, apart.  It’s important to not blame those suffering from mental illnesses for this. And while mental illness is not an excuse to be a bad person, it is important to take into account when understanding why people do what they do. 

If you know someone who may be suicidal because they have started to push you away, do not hesitate to tell someone and get help.

Getting Help

Some adults don’t even want to discuss the issue of mental health because of the taboo that surrounds it. However, normalizing conversations about mental issues can open the door to people seeking help. Reaching out to trusted adults or getting help from a professional can really help with issues such as depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts.

It may seem like a daunting task, but getting help with your problems from others will always be the right course of action. You are not a bother, and you are not a burden if you reach out for help.

For immediate help, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is 988. Or if you would rather text, the Crisis Text Line is 741741. 

You can always go to a friend or trusted adult for help, but if talking to someone you know or anyone at all seems like too much, here are some mental health apps recommended by Singleton that can help with anxiety:

• Headspace is an app to help with anxiety through simple meditation. (This is a personal favorite app for GG to fall asleep and relax to)
• Let’s Meditate is an app that includes guided meditation to help sleep and relaxation.
• Calm is an app for guided meditation that includes soothing sounds and stories.

It’s always important to remember that the people around you are willing to help. Singleton told us, “if you or a friend feels their request or call for help is ignored then find another person or resource. Don’t stop, don’t just let it go. Seek help. There are many of us out there ready to help.”

If you struggle with mental health issues, know you are not alone. The most important thing you can do is seek help – that can set you on a path towards a brighter future.