Share helpful and credible resources with your teen. Keeping physically healthy, including getting regular exercise, can also help mental health. Check in with them regularly to see how they are feeling. If you notice that your teen is struggling, help them keep in touch with their support systems. Voice or video support is often better than texting, Dr. Letting them know that they are not alone can help bring context to their situation. “We need to validate teens’ feelings and help them keep in touch with their support systems.” So, sit down and start to talk about mental illness with your teen. “Being honest with teens is hugely important,” Dr. Nadimpalli explains, that with the proper treatment, they can live the life they want and do the things they want to do. Providing support to teens is key to helping their mental health. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. If your teen has these signs or other worrisome symptoms, such as posing a danger to themselves or anyone else, it is crucial that they get help right away. Keep in mind that this list is not comprehensive. Some of the most common symptoms include: Knowing the warning signs of emotional distress and mental illness can help you take care of your teen. For children with existing social anxiety, this hurdle could be bigger than ever before.
Nadimpalli says young people face the challenge of re-socializing into their communities. “These things, if not addressed, can lead to more serious problems with anxiety, panic, depression and hopelessness.”Įven as restrictions start to lift, Dr. “With the stress of the pandemic comes a lot of fear, anger, sadness and worry,” she explains. Nadimpalli, MD, an adolescent psychiatrist at Northwestern Medicine, says the implications of these effects may be much more serious than they seem.
They have had to adapt to remote and hybrid learning, changes in their family’s schedule, a shift in socialization norms and more.ĭeepa R. While dealing with the standard social, mental and physical changes of adolescence, teens have also had to overcome new obstacles due to the pandemic. But for teens today, the pandemic has added an extra challenge to their emotional and mental well-being. The teenage years are marked by physical, emotional and mental changes. Thanks to stay-at-home orders, drastic changes in routines and widespread trauma, mental well-being has stayed atop the list of prominent health issues. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a serious impact on mental health in the U.S.