Addressing Mental Health Stigma: How to Support Adolescents and Teens
Posted by Improving Lives Counseling Services, Inc. | Children and Adolescent Counseling, Mental Health
October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month and October 10, 2024 was World Mental Health Day. During the past 24-36 months, we have published blogs and articles on topics such as Suicide and Mental Health Stigma, Unrealized Mental Health, Mental Health in Native Americans, Navigating Mental Health, Minority Mental Health, Mental Health of Boys and Men, Self-Care – Supporting A Family Member With Mental Illness, A Deep Dive Into Depression, The Toll Of Mental Health, and more than three blogs on Teen Girls and Mental Health. Subscribing to “The More You Know”, each blog addresses the who, what, when, where, and possible whys.
“Like the weather, mental health can go through periods of bright sunny days with bursts of energy to darker, rainy days that can drag you down a darker road.” Improving Lives Counseling Services’ explores a range of mental health conditions because they impact your daily life and the lives of those you care about most. Through mental health check-ups, diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing support, our counselors, therapists, and clinicians strive to be the “wind beneath your wings,” preparing you for, and helping you navigate, the challenges of those difficult days.
WHY CARE ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
We live in an ever changing world, which for many, can be challenging to navigate. Hundreds of television channels, more news reporting channels than news – cell phones, social media, apps, the internet, and electric cars are all here to stay. Children of the same age in a one block radius can each live within a different family structure and attend a different school. Today political, racial, cultural, social, and religious groups and organizations deliver a very different message. Study.com reports, “The five major causes of social change are environmental processes, political processes, social movements, economic processes, and technological advancements.”
These changes and advances can affect how you feel about yourself, your ability to perform daily tasks and activities, to achieve success at school and in the workplace, and develop and maintain friendships and relationships. Add dietary, health care, and ecological changes, it is no surprise mankind in the 21st century is mentally a very different being.
In 2013, John Hawks a professor of anthropology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison said, “ Across nearly seven million years, the human brain has tripled in size, with most of this growth occurring in the past two million years.” Yet on May 18, 2024, a 2023 study by Ian Tattersall, a paleoanthropologist and curator emeritus with the American Museum of Natural History in New York City found, “The brains of modern humans are 13% smaller than those who lived years ago.”
Whether the brain is larger or smaller, life in the 21st century is affecting the brain, and mental well-being in children, adolescents, teens, and young adults. According to research published by the American Psychological Association, “The percentage of young Americans experiencing certain types of mental health disorders has risen significantly over the past decade, with no corresponding increase in older adults. More U.S. adolescents and young adults in the late 2010s, versus the mid-2000s, experienced serious psychological distress, major depression or suicidal thoughts, and more attempted suicide, said lead author Jean Twenge, PhD.”
These are our future decision and lawmakers – our scientists, doctors, law enforcers, politicians, and judges. The World Health Organization reports, “globally, one in seven 10-19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder and depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among those aged 15-29 worldwide.
WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY
“World Mental Health Day is marked every year to raise awareness about mental health around the world and to mobilize efforts to support those experiencing mental health issues. Every year since 2013 the World Health Organization has organized a global campaign for World Mental Health Day.” Yet, and the number of mentally ill adolescents and teens continues to rise.
Children, adolescents, and teens today navigate a rapidly evolving world. Advances in technology, changes in family dynamics, and new child-rearing methods have transformed their experiences. With greater access to adult expressions and information, as well as an increased expectation to make mature decisions, their brains are functioning differently than in the past. Even in the strictest households, children are being “more heard” than before. They are developing adult bodies at younger ages, forming intimate relationships during adolescence, and constructively challenging parents in adult conversations. These early adult experiences and discussions significantly impact their emotional development.
A Harris Poll, on behalf of the American Psychological Association, found, “87% of American adults agreed that having a mental health disorder is nothing to be ashamed of, and 86% said they believe that people with mental health disorders can get better.” Yet, they don’t seek care.
STIGMA, STIGMA, STIGMA
Some blame it on access to health insurance, some on smaller family units, some on fatherless homes, and others on community involvement. Some say it’s substance abuse, and access to legal, and illegal, drugs – while others blame it on the internet, apps, and social media. Were these the sole causes, the 87% of adults referenced above would seek mental health care for their children, adolescents, and teens. Though technology and social media can contribute to bullying, shaming, discriminating, and adopting behavioral disorders, stigma remains – worldwide – the major reason 12–19-year-olds fail to receive mental health care.
A recent National Poll on Children’s Health found 95% of parents were concerned about their child’s mental health. However, only 55% indicated that if their child showed signs of a problem, they would keep an eye on them – and less than 40% said their first response would be to make an appointment with a healthcare provider. Mental illness-related stigma has been identified as the primary barrier to parents accessing mental health care. They worry about how others might perceive their child or family, fearing that it could make them appear as failures in their parenting. Other stigma related reasons include:
- Lack of Understanding: Parents believe behavioral issues will resolve on their own.
- Fear of Diagnosis: Parents fear a mental health diagnosis could label their child or lead to discrimination or social isolation.
- Cultural Beliefs: Mental Health issues are seen as a sign of weakness or failure.
- Financial Concerns: The cost of therapy and treatment can be a significant barrier, especially if insurance does not cover mental health services adequately.
- Previous Experiences: Parents have had negative experiences with mental health services.
- Belief in Alternative Solutions: Parents believe lifestyle changes or spiritual practices, are sufficient for addressing mental health issues.
- Concern Over Medication: Parents worry about potential side effects or dependency on medication can lead some parents to avoid professional treatment.
SUMMARY
National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, along with World Mental Health Day, aims to raise awareness about mental health issues and promote global efforts for mental well-being. These observances encourage conversations about mental health and challenge the stigma surrounding mental illness. They serve as a reminder of the importance of mental health as an integral part of overall health, emphasizing the need for mental health screenings and accessible care for everyone.
At Improving Lives Counseling Services, our counselors, therapists, and clinicians are dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and the importance of regular check-ups. They strive to support and educate the community to foster a better-informed environment. Despite all the marketing and advertising around mental healthcare, stigma is a global issue that governments worldwide are finally working to address. Join our trained, licensed team of mental healthcare professionals. Together we can reduce the number of adolescents and teens facing mental health challenges. Call us to learn more.
