School Caring Adults
Youth Mental Health Overview
The need for mental health care for teens continues to grow with an increasing number of adolescents reporting poor mental health (Centers for Disease Control, 2021). Nationally, one in six children and adolescents aged 6-17 experiences a mental health disorder and 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14 (Whitney and Peterson, 2019; Kessler et al, 2005). Depression and anxiety are the most common causes of illness among adolescents and teens and suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth aged 15-19-years old in the US (National Institute of Mental Health).
Regardless of this high prevalence, mental health issues often go unnoticed and untreated having long-term physical, emotional, and mental health consequences in adulthood. Currently, the average delay from onset of a mental health illness to treatment is an average of 11 years (National Alliance on Mental Illness, 2021).
Having at least one strong relationship with a caring adult can make a significant impact on teens’ mental health. As a caring adult, you can support teens navigate the many pressures and changes during this critical developmental phase and check in on their mental health. Begin by learning the warning signs below as well as common mental health disorders teens face. Remember to maintain confidentiality when discussing mental health and sensitive matters with your student and to connect with family and trained professionals when needed.
READ MORE:
Warning Signs: a list of key behavioral signs that may indicate something needs attention
Common Mental Health Challenges: depression; anxiety; attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); eating disorders; trauma; suicide; substance abuse. Includes information on “Starting the Conversation”: examples of what to say if you suspect a teen is experiencing mental health issues, a teen shares information about mental health issues, or follow up questions to learn more about a student’s mental health
Current Challenges for Teen Mental Health
In the changing landscape of teens’ academic and social lives, from increased screen time, social media use, and cyberbullying, teens are facing multiple stressors impacting their mental health. Simultaneously, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased social isolation, loneliness, and feelings of depression and anxiety. Use the information and tips below to understand and support teens as they navigate their physical, mental, social, and academic growth through the many challenges they face.
READ MORE:
Screentime, Social Media & Cyberbullying: information on how this impacts mental health, tips to support teens, and starting a conversation
COVID-19 Pandemic: information on how this impacts mental health, tips to support teens
Chronic Absenteeism & Low School Motivation: how this impacts mental health, tips to support teens, examples on starting a conversation
Preparing School Adults for Mental Health Advocacy
High school is a critical time for teens as they navigate changes in and out of their bodies. In this developmental phase youth adapt to their changing bodies, peer pressure, and increasing responsibilities. As teens’ bodies change and develop, they often face self esteem and body image issues while simultaneously navigating dating and their sexuality. There is often pressure from peers such as drug use, bullying, and cyberbullying along with the stress of college and career preparation. This developmental phase is critical in their identity development as teens reflect on who they are, what is important to them, who is important to them, and how they envision their futures.
With the support of caring adults, teens are able to process and feel empowered through these changes–changes that can often cause mental health challenges. Before you begin advocating for your student’s mental health, be sure to read the tips below to follow effective confidentiality and referral processes to best promote your student’s mental health.
READ MORE:
Confidentiality: details on confidentiality and which topics might trigger mandated reporting; explaining confidentiality; explaining when you need to break confidentiality
Referrals: understanding when to seek professional help
Additional School Resources
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Mental Health Resources for Students
Share these helplines and resources to support teens manage their mental health and wellness. Most resources below offer support through online chat, text, and phone calls. When necessary, be sure to inform guardians of mentees who are in need of mental health support.
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Understanding and Managing Emotions
Understanding our emotions, how our brain reacts, and ways in which to build our resiliency are all critical components to developing healthy emotional wellness. Explore more about resiliency, our brain, and access resources and videos on specific emotions in this section.
School Activities and Strategies
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Circle of Control
Grades: 9-12
Recommended Time: 10-20 minutes
Use this when: [insert situation]
Overview: Teens juggle multiple stressors between responsibilities and pressure from family, school, peers, and college and career preparation. To support your mentee’s mental health, engage in the circles of control activity to help process what is in their control and what is out of their control when they are feeling stressed or anxious. -
Emotions & Coping Skills
Grades: 9-12
Recommended Time: 15-20 minutes
Use this when: [insert situation]
Overview: Managing difficult emotions, such as stress, sadness and anger allows teens to better manage difficult situations by creating time and space to thoughtfully respond to difficult situations instead of quickly reacting. When people recognize strong emotions and pause to utilize coping skills, they are more likely to practice kindness and show respect to themselves and to others. Research has shown that the way we manage stress can have long-term effects on our happiness levels, relationships, and physical health and is even associated with a longer lifespan. Use this strategy to support your mentee’s emotional regulation skills. -
Mindfulness
Grades: 9-12
Recommended Time: 2-5 minutes
Use this when: [insert situation]
Overview: Mindfulness can support teen’s mental health by allowing them to pause, feel grounded, and regulate their emotions, even in stressful situations. -
Screen Time Plan
Grades: 9-12
Recommended Time: 5-10 minutes
Use this when: [insert situation]
Overview: To promote self care and mental health, help your student create a screen time plan that balances time on and off the screen. Using a journal or blank sheet of paper, ask your student to reflect on key questions, identify at least one goal related to screen time that they’d like to reach over the week, check on your student’s goal when possible, and celebrate when they reach their goal. -
Self Esteem & Positive Self Talk
Grades: 9-12
Recommended Time: 10-15 minutes
Use this when: [insert situation]
Overview: There are four goals to this activity. The first two goals are for your mentee to notice when they are having negative thoughts and notice patterns in their negative thoughts (what the thoughts are about, when they occur, around whom they occur, etc). The third goal, which can be the most difficult, is to practice reframing their thoughts to positive self-talk. The final goal is for mentees to notice that they are often kinder and more respectful to people they love than they are to themselves. With the support of a caring adult, teens can grow the habit to show respect and compassion to themselves, even when they are feeling down or make a mistake. -
Support System
Grades: 9-12
Recommended Time: 10-20 minutes
Use this when: [insert situation]
Overview: Support your student’s mental health by helping them identify their support system. Once the map is complete, ask your mentee to walk through their map with you so you can learn about who supports them, who is important to them, and what areas in their lives they may need more support. -
Thoughts-Feelings-Behaviors
Grades: 9-12
Recommended Time: 10-15 minutes
Use this when: [insert situation]
Overview: Psychoeducation on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) tools, such as the Thoughts-Feelings-Behavior model, can help teens manage their emotions and responses to stressful or upsetting moments. This model helps students understand the connection between a situation or event, what they think about the situation (often negative and/or false thoughts), how the situation and thoughts make them feel, and then their behavioral response to their thoughts and feelings.