Opinion Piece: Mental Illnesses in Teenagers have become an Epidemic

By Bianca Thompson on March 26

The vast array and sudden onslaught of new teenage emotions is arguably the most iconic milestone in a typical adolescence. While almost every adult I’ve ever met has joked about the extremities of juvenile dramatics, the darker side of hormonal reactions is being socially ignored. Though we may try to minimize these feelings into oblivion, the fact remains that the number of teens suffering from mental illness is on the rise. Left untreated, these conditions could create a dangerous and unstable future.

Recent studies have shown that mental illness in teenagers is a growing problem. In fact, a typical child today has the same anxiety levels as a psychiatric patient in the 1950s (APA Journal of Personality and Social Psychiatry). Further, 1 in 5 students struggle with a mental illness - a staggering statistic - but not all researchers can agree on why. Any number of factors can play into the development of these mental illnesses, and social standings, intelligence, and privilege don’t offer any immunity. Some credit the recent rise of mental health issues to the popularization of social media. “With (social media), it's all about the self-image — who's 'liking' them, who's watching them, who clicked on their picture,” said Marco Grados, associate professor of psychiatry and Clinical Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Some people may even have a mental illness woven into their DNA, meaning those with a family member struggling with a disorder may be more prone to develop one themselves. Other things, like upbringing and social experiences, can contribute to a person's vulnerability. Combined with the stress of school, pressure of friends and a medley of biological, environmental, and psychological factors, teens today are more prone to develop disorders than ever.

Historically, mental health has been treated as a heavily stigmatized topic in society. It’s no wonder that many people suffering from mental illnesses don’t seek treatment. They suffer in silence. Those who do seek treatment face other challenges, because even though 20% of our population is plagued by mental illness, only 4% percent of the national health care budget is offered in support. Further, if a teenager suspects they are beginning to experience symptoms of mental illness, they are often told to ignore them and that these feelings are a side effect of growing up. As a society, we may try to deny these feelings out of existence. But left untreated, they begin to fester, worsening and deepening with time. Not treating a teenager’s mental illness can result in chronic absences, decreased academic achievement, lack of motivation, disruptive behavior, and might even lead to dropping out of school (Mental Health in Schools: A Hidden Crisis Affecting Millions of Students). Teenagers might also experience changes in appetite and behavior towards friends and their future. Almost 75% of mental disorders manifest during the teenage years, yet 80% of students don’t have the means to treat their problems (Meg Anderson and Kavitha Cardoza). Later in life, these diseases can become debilitating and can affect how they behave as adults in society. An average of 62% of prison inmates suffers from severe mental illness (Joel L. Young M.D.). If we don’t soothe the plagues of the next generation, their diseases will ruin more than their own lives.

Many would argue the spike in mental illnesses is due to heightened sensitivity in modern children. Contrary to prior belief, the empathy and sensitivity of adolescents are not what is causing these diseases to manifest. In today's hyper-connected, globalized community, there is so much for everyone to worry about, and kids are being exposed to it all at a younger age and with a ferocious consistency. They see the products of racism and bigotry shape our society, they see children their age being killed at school, they see themselves being objectified and ridiculed by those in power, yet their age prevents them from changing it. Kids today are not too sensitive, they may simply feel the woes of the world as their own and are exposed to the worst of humanity on a daily basis.

Teenage mental health has proven an epidemic recently, and it is our social duty to ensure that these children are able to seek the help they need. Untreated, these diseases can cause myriad physical and psychological health problems. Ensuring the sanity of the next generation is the least we can do for the children with so much already on their plate. To further the healthy development of the world, or even ensure that we can thrive, we have to address mental health issues and change the way we view them.