{"id":19203,"date":"2021-05-21T16:42:24","date_gmt":"2021-05-21T23:42:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embarkbh.com\/?p=19203"},"modified":"2024-02-27T12:02:30","modified_gmt":"2024-02-27T19:02:30","slug":"the-importance-of-teen-adolescent-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.embarkbh.com\/blog\/mental-health\/the-importance-of-teen-adolescent-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Mental Health for Young People"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
This past year and a half, our collective mental health took on a whole new set of challenges. In just a few short days, the institutions that gave our days structure shut down. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pandemic changed the way we all interacted with each other, and it had a profound effect on our mental health<\/a>. So, now is an excellent time to ask, \u201cWhat is mental health, and why is it so important for our adolescents<\/a> and young adults?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the <\/a>Centers for Disease Control<\/a>, <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress<\/a>, relate to others, and make healthy choices.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Mental health is not only crucial for enjoying our present<\/em> experiences but for creating our future. When kids learn to ask for what they need emotionally and mentally and have these needs met, they learn the skills<\/a> to be healthy adults in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many families found that they noticed behaviors they hadn\u2019t previously, because they were together with such consistency. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, parents might have noticed that their kids were sleeping more, eating less, or became tense and frustrated easily in new situations. They noticed emotional breakdowns that were outside of the norm. They saw alcohol missing, or they were home to smell smoke coming from their teen\u2019s bedroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Being a typical teen has gotten harder <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Teens are hard-wired for social interaction and emotional stimulation<\/a>, according to the New York Academy of Sciences. This past year and a half, it\u2019s been challenging for them to meet those needs because online classrooms don\u2019t facilitate these opportunities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to the pandemic, some people ended up prioritizing their physical well-being over their mental well-being. We embraced isolation even though it\u2019s not good for people \u2013 especially not teens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPart of who we are is based on our relational capacities \u2013 the social relationships that we have,\u201d says Mark White, MA, LPC, LMHC, MAC, executive clinical director of Embark\u2019s Dragonfly Transitions<\/a> program. \u201cThe more in-person interactions people can have, the better.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd that was something that pre-dates COVID. So, many of our young adults at Dragonfly have spent inordinate amounts of time by themselves, in front of a screen. We knew that pre-COVID, and COVID just applied a blast furnace to that dynamic,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what can parents do? <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI think it\u2019s important for people to be really intentional about planning in-person social activities as it makes sense with everyone\u2019s local and regional health situations.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\nMark White, Executive Director, Dragonfly Transitions<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n When you see your teen may be having mental health issues, the first thing to do, according to the CDC, is talk with them. Here\u2019s how to make your approach less of a potential conflict: <\/p>\n\n\n\n There still could be tension and conflict. But, it\u2019s essential to start the conversation and allow your teen to come back to it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When your teen asks for help first, keep these things in mind: <\/p>\n\n\n\n In the current world we are living in, there are still a lot of unknowns. As we return to school, the workplace, and activities, new challenges will arise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If your teen is struggling with anxiety<\/a> or depression<\/a>, White reminds us, \u201cIn some ways, COVID gave the green light to isolating behavior.\u201d As a result, it might be tough returning back to more social situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some resources aren\u2019t going to be available right away, and others will be different than before. Even things that return to normal might feel different. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So continue to keep an eye on your teen. Prioritize their well-being. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf you see changes from your teen\u2019s baseline that aren\u2019t just a one-off \u2013 spending more time by themselves, talking less, eating less, disengaging from enjoyable activities \u2013 then seek help,\u201d White said. \u201cSome of that might be developmental and completely appropriate, but it gives the parent the green light to discuss things with their kid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGet help, trust your gut, get that counseling appointment. Outcomes are going to be way better the sooner we get care.\u201d <\/strong> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It’s Mental Health Awareness Month. Now is an excellent time to ask, \u201cWhat is mental health, and why is it so important for our adolescents and young adults?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":19209,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[952],"tags":[42,44,62,64,1514,1742],"yoast_head":"\nOur Children Need Us to Protect Their Mental Health <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The pandemic made it easier \u2013 and harder \u2013 to look after teen\u2019s mental health <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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You Think Your Teen is Struggling, What Do You Do? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What Mental Health Awareness Really Means in 2021 <\/h2>\n\n\n\n