In the span of a few years, teenagers’ bodies are changing, their hormones are adjusting, and they may be facing a lot of pressure in school and in their social lives. All of these changes can lead to mental health issues. Here’s what you need to know about teens’ mental health.
Teen Mental Health Facts – Overview
A teenager’s exposure to risk factors such as stigma, living conditions, and other trauma can adversely affect their mental health and heighten the risk for teen suicide. Overall:
- Half of all mental health issues start at age 14 but often go untreated or undiagnosed.1
- According to the WHO, teenagers living in fragile social situations, dealing with chronic illness, or intellectual disability are more likely to experience mental health conditions.1
- These teenagers are more likely to suffer from social exclusion, risky behaviors, and stigma that prevents them from getting care.
- It takes an average of ten years between the onset of symptoms and receiving treatment.2
- About 10 to 20% of teens have a diagnosable mental health disorder.1
- One survey found that rates of mental illness have increased between 2009 and 2019:4
- Depression (from 26% to 37%)
- Serious contemplation of suicide (from 14% to 19%)
- Suicide planning (from 11% to 16%)
- Suicide attempts (from 6% to 9%)
Depression in Teens
General feelings of sadness or melancholy are common, especially as teens go through confusing hormonal changes and deal with societal expectations. Serious depression, however, is a sign of something deeper.
Here are several important statistics about depression in teenagers:
- Depression is the fourth leading cause of illness and disability in teens.1
- 20 to 30% of teens have a major depressive episode before becoming adults.3
- Approximately 1.9 million children and adolescents have been diagnosed with depression.5
- 3 in 4 children aged 3 to 17 with depression also suffer from anxiety.5
- According to the CDC, the rate of depression in youth is increasing.5
Anxiety in Teens
As teenagers face new challenges in school and online or are dealing with pressure from family and friends, it’s easy to understand why they may feel overwhelmed or anxious. Acute anxiety, however, can negatively impact a teenager’s wellbeing and mental health.
Here are statistics on anxiety in adolescents:
- Approximately 4.4 million children and adolescents have been diagnosed with anxiety.5
- 1 in 3 teenagers will suffer from an anxiety disorder.6
- Anxiety disorders went up 20% between 2007 and 2012.6
- In a 2016 study done by Higher Education Research, 41% of students said they felt overwhelmed by school expectations, a rate that has increased since 2000.6
Substance Use in Teens
Despite being underaged, studies show that those under 21, including teenagers, make up one-tenth of all alcohol consumption in the United States.7 The CDC also states that the younger teens are when they start abusing substances, the more likely they are to develop substance abuse disorders later in life.7
Here are some statistics on substance use in teenagers:
- In 2016, the prevalence of teens engaged in heavy episodic drinking was 13.6%.1
- The most commonly used substances are alcohol, marijuana, and tobacco.7
- Two-thirds of teenagers have tried alcohol by 12th grade.7
- 4 in 10 high school students reported using cigarettes.7
Eating Disorders in Teens
In light of social media comparisons and peer pressure to maintain a certain body type, many teens turn to eating disorders in an attempt to control their body size and looks.
Here are some important statistics regarding eating disorders in adolescents:
- Cases of eating disorders in female adolescents are twice as high as those of males (3.8% to 1.5%).8
- According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), from 2001 to 2004, the largest group of adolescents with eating disorders were aged 17 to 18.8
- 2.4% of adolescents aged 13 to 14 were diagnosed with an eating disorder
- 2.8% of adolescents aged 15 to 16 were diagnosed
Suicide Rates in Teens
Risk factors for teens considering suicide are complex and complicated, often a result of social stigma, conditions at home, and a variety of other factors.
Here’s what you need to know about suicide rates in adolescents:
- Suicide is the 3rd highest cause of death in adolescents.1
- Nearly 62,000 teenagers died in 2016 due to self-harm.1
- 90% of teen suicides are from teenagers living in low or middle-income countries.1
- In 2006, males aged 16 to 18 made up the highest percentage of suicide rates.3
For Further Reading
- Teen and Young Adult Mental Health – National Alliance on Mental Illness
- Mental Health Resources For Adolescents and Young Adults
