The start of the new year has impacted many individuals’ lives, especially teens. Teenagers’ mental health in school or just at home can majorly impact their future and how the start of this year can cause downfall or even growth in some. This subject might make others feel uneasy or upset at the certain topics mentioned, if that is the case, be cautious and aware when reading. The impact of mental health circles all around the globe in a lot of countries and cities.
In 2024 the United States Department of Health and Human Services stated that 50% of adolescents experience mental health problems in various ways such as eating disorders, depression, anxiety, ADHD, and countless of more. Mental health struggles can have a big toll on adolescent experiences and personal growth.
Kadilynne Packham-Lamborn talks about the impact on their mental health and how it affects them. “My mental health definitely affects the way my school life is and how I interact with my friends and family. It also influences my grades in a negative and positive way but it definitely has taken a toll on me.”
Positive mental health is a good thing. Some pro’s consist of being well-organized, can influence your actions and motivation, regulate your emotions more efficiently, set a creative mind set, and can help maintain future jobs or goals. Mental health impacts how the brain works and its motives. It can also influence a person’s ability to do better or to do less.
Influences that impact mental health can also play a huge part. Some things the people use to cope with their mental struggles is they use substances in order to cope with how their brain is wired. The usage of substances is an unhealthy way to manage your thoughts and actions.
Using these ways might result and end up in someone committing suicide. From the National Police Chief’s Council, there are around 15.2 deaths continuously growing from the start of February to now. The Mental Health America website also reported that around 20% of youth will experience depressive episodes in 2024. Around 15% will experience a major depressive episode (MDE), something that has impacted home life or school life.
Teenagers can improve themselves in many ways. Seth Hamilton shares how he handles his mental health. “Sometimes I take time for myself or I find a way to help calm my brain down by doing something I enjoy and by being around the people that can usually make me forget or help out with the way I feel.”
Some other options into bettering yourself or others is to encourage self care and mental/emotional care towards someone who is struggling or yourselves. Ask for help when needed or even when you feel like something is wrong. Have a well balanced mind to help someone out and to treat yourself nicely. And always have supportive friends that will help you and spread awareness to mental health.
Mental Health isn’t a toy to be played with and the productivity of your brain and emotions influence the day to day life of someone or on yourself. Our brains are a main importance to humans and a necessity to be stable and well enough to get through the rough patches and to bloom into something much more beautiful than the last.
