The Truth About Mental Health For Kids And Teens
Kids’ and teens’ mental health is getting increasing attention, but not all young people with mental health challenges get the help they need. Providing treatment for kids and teens who struggle with mental health not only helps them cope in the short term, but also equips them with skills they can use throughout their lives. In this post, we’ll delve into the mental health landscape in kids and teens and explore what therapy looks like for them.
Mental Health in Kids
Many people idealize childhood as a carefree time. However, kids can and do face mental health issues. In 2023, 11% of children were diagnosed with anxiety, 8% of children were diagnosed with behavior disorders such as ADHD, and 4% of children were diagnosed with depression.
Many factors influence kids’ mental health. Kids may have mental challenges due to negative experiences at home, in school, or online. These experiences can include food insecurity, violence, marital conflict, chronic illness, or bullying—and sometimes, there might not be a clear cause of mental health challenges. On the flip side, if a child has supportive relationships at home and in school, they are more likely to develop resilience, which helps them maintain emotional stability as they face challenges.
All kids have ups and downs. However, if a kid is facing severe symptoms that interfere with their activities at home or in school, they might benefit from counseling or therapy.
Mental Health in Teens
Adolescence is a period of biological, psychological, and social change, as well as self-discovery. All of this development can come with mental health issues. In 2023, over 20% of adolescents had a currently diagnosed mental health condition. Anxiety remains the most common mental health problem in adolescents, with depression and ADHD affecting many teens as well. Teens may also experience the onset of mental health issues like eating disorders, risk-taking behaviors, or first symptoms of psychosis.
Adolescents can face mental health challenges from the interplay of their individual personality, family environment, and social relationships. For example, a perfectionist personality, a family environment with conflicts or violence, or issues with peers such as rejection and bullying can all harm mental health. Conversely, teens with positive family relationships, social support systems, and a healthy sense of confidence in themselves are less likely to have mental health problems.
It’s widely known that teens can be moody and impulsive at times, but some signs warrant professional attention. Teens who feel very sad for a few weeks, attempt to harm themselves, have severe mood swings, or have a lot of difficulty concentrating might need counseling—especially if these experiences harm their relationships, performance in school, or other important life activities.
Counseling for Kids
Parents who think their child could benefit from therapy should seek an evaluation with a therapist to determine the most appropriate course of action. It’s important to find a psychologist with experience in children’s mental health.
Therapy for children may involve the active participation of their parents or guardians, especially with younger children. For very young children, from about ages three to eleven, play therapy is a highly effective and common treatment modality. Since kids don’t always have the same verbal skills that adults do, this approach lets children express and work through their feelings using toys or other objects.
Another therapy option for children is expressive arts therapy, in which kids can use different art forms—from finger-painting to music or dance—to express themselves. The therapist may observe their behavior and talk to them about their experiences.
For older children, including pre-teens, therapy methods can become more varied. These therapy methods may include family therapy, talk therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy, and creative therapy methods like journaling.
Teen Counseling
Therapy for teens differs from therapy for adults in several ways, so it’s important to find a therapist with experience treating teens. Therapists may need to strategize when finding ways to build rapport with teens, who might feel forced into therapy or deal with increased stigma around therapy. Therapists also need to think about how to engage parents in therapy while maintaining confidentiality for the adolescent. In addition, therapy for teens needs to take into account their communication styles, stages of development, and unique challenges.
Many types of therapy can help teens, including psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mind-body therapy, family therapy, and more. Here in Providence, Rhode Island, several members of Dyad Psychology’s team have experience working with adolescents.
Group therapy for Teens
Group therapy can also be an exceptionally beneficial therapy modality for adolescents. As discussed, adolescents’ mental health benefits from strong, supportive relationships—relationships that group therapy can provide. In fact, many adolescents find group therapy less intimidating than individual therapy because they are with peers who have similar experiences. This shared understanding can lead to a sense of trust, acceptance, and social support that will enable adolescents to navigate challenges. For example, in Providence, Rhode Island, Chris Jackson runs a therapy group for adolescents ages thirteen to seventeen that focuses on themes like building self-acceptance, navigating social challenges, and feeling accepted by others. These are all invaluable skills for young people who are weathering the difficulty of discovering who they are and building a supportive social network.
Conclusion
Many kids and teens grapple with mental health challenges, most commonly anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Their home and school environments can impact their mental health, as can their individual personality traits. Therapy methods for younger kids include play therapy and expressive arts therapy, while older kids and teens can use many of the same therapy methods as adults, with some modifications. For young people struggling with mental health, accessing timely and appropriate therapy can be absolutely crucial in helping them develop and thrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common mental health issues in kids and teens?
Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health condition in both children and adolescents. Depression and ADHD also commonly affect young people.
What is the first step if I think my child or adolescent needs therapy?
The first step is to find a qualified mental health professional who specializes in working with children or adolescents. They can assess your child's needs and recommend appropriate support.
What types of therapy are used for children and adolescents?
Play therapy is a popular therapeutic approach for children aged three to eleven. It allows children to express and process their experiences through play, using toys and other creative mediums. For older children and teens, therapy methods are broader and include many of the same techniques used for adults, with some modifications to make them appropriate to children’s and adolescents’ stages of development and unique challenges.