English Assignment 18: Feature Article
Why Teen Mental Health Needs to be Addressed
Talking about mental health is not exactly seen as ‘normal’ in today’s society but it is a topic
that needs to be addressed. Mental disorders are health problems that include emotional,
thought or behavioural changes (or a combination of these). Types of mental disorders
include anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, bipolar disorders, eating disorders and other
behavioural problems. Mental illness is a condition which affects all types of people but is
especially evident in teenagers and adolescents but most not quite mature enough to
handle such troubling emotions, it is urgent that we address this situation.
There are many causes of mental health with most forming from physical, emotional and
social changes. These include trauma, grief, loss and stress. The most common mental
illnesses found in teenagers and adolescents are depression and anxiety, with 50% of all
mental illness starting at the age of 14.
There are staggering statistics of adolescents who live and constantly fight the battle against
mental illness every day. Approximately one in five teens (aged 12 to 18) suffer from at least
one mental health disorder with most common disorders being anxiety and depression.
That’s 20% of our population yet only 4% of the total health care budget is spent on our
mental health. Don’t you think we should put more effort into helping the younger
generation who hold our future?
Mental health can have a significant impact on a teenager’s daily life, possibly affecting
relationships, academic performance, as well as sleep and eating schedules. Such disorders
can also cause social withdrawal, leading to isolation and loneliness. Research also shows
that depressed people with a negative outlook on life are most likely to live less fulfilling
lives and their emotions can be linked to stress and heart disease, endangering their
physical health as well.
However, many teenagers and adolescents suffer in silence mostly because many parents
don’t believe that they have a reason to have such disorders and fail to grasp the
seriousness of the situation. A teenager relates that he ‘strongly suspects’ he has major
depression but when trying to raise the issue to his parents, they dismiss it as being a
‘typical moody teenager’.
An adolescent’s inability to comprehend and cope with such disheartening feelings can lead
to risk taking behaviours such as substance use. In 2016, the prevalence of heavy episodic
drinking among teenagers aged 15-19 was 13.6 percent worldwide, with males most at risk.
Additional issues include the use of cigarettes and cannabis. Cannabis, with about 4.7
percent of 15-16 year old using it at least once in 2018, has become the most commonly
consumed drug by young people. There are also many adult smokers who have their first
cigarette before the age of 18.
Sadly, this can also lead to suicide and self-harm, making suicide the third-leading cause of
death in the world among 15-19 years old. Doesn’t it sadden you greatly to know that
Why Teen Mental Health Needs to be Addressed
Talking about mental health is not exactly seen as ‘normal’ in today’s society but it is a topic
that needs to be addressed. Mental disorders are health problems that include emotional,
thought or behavioural changes (or a combination of these). Types of mental disorders
include anxiety disorders, OCD, depression, bipolar disorders, eating disorders and other
behavioural problems. Mental illness is a condition which affects all types of people but is
especially evident in teenagers and adolescents but most not quite mature enough to
handle such troubling emotions, it is urgent that we address this situation.
There are many causes of mental health with most forming from physical, emotional and
social changes. These include trauma, grief, loss and stress. The most common mental
illnesses found in teenagers and adolescents are depression and anxiety, with 50% of all
mental illness starting at the age of 14.
There are staggering statistics of adolescents who live and constantly fight the battle against
mental illness every day. Approximately one in five teens (aged 12 to 18) suffer from at least
one mental health disorder with most common disorders being anxiety and depression.
That’s 20% of our population yet only 4% of the total health care budget is spent on our
mental health. Don’t you think we should put more effort into helping the younger
generation who hold our future?
Mental health can have a significant impact on a teenager’s daily life, possibly affecting
relationships, academic performance, as well as sleep and eating schedules. Such disorders
can also cause social withdrawal, leading to isolation and loneliness. Research also shows
that depressed people with a negative outlook on life are most likely to live less fulfilling
lives and their emotions can be linked to stress and heart disease, endangering their
physical health as well.
However, many teenagers and adolescents suffer in silence mostly because many parents
don’t believe that they have a reason to have such disorders and fail to grasp the
seriousness of the situation. A teenager relates that he ‘strongly suspects’ he has major
depression but when trying to raise the issue to his parents, they dismiss it as being a
‘typical moody teenager’.
An adolescent’s inability to comprehend and cope with such disheartening feelings can lead
to risk taking behaviours such as substance use. In 2016, the prevalence of heavy episodic
drinking among teenagers aged 15-19 was 13.6 percent worldwide, with males most at risk.
Additional issues include the use of cigarettes and cannabis. Cannabis, with about 4.7
percent of 15-16 year old using it at least once in 2018, has become the most commonly
consumed drug by young people. There are also many adult smokers who have their first
cigarette before the age of 18.
Sadly, this can also lead to suicide and self-harm, making suicide the third-leading cause of
death in the world among 15-19 years old. Doesn’t it sadden you greatly to know that
