One in every six UK children aged five to 16 has a probable mental health problem. But it is an issue that persists across the globe, especially as the pressures of teenage life mount. Yuhasini Hari, 13, from the British School of Brussels, says it is time for us to talk more.
As a teenager myself, I can tell you that it’s not as simple as people often make it out to be. The truth is, what’s going on in our minds is complex and varies from person to person. For many of us, being a teenager can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. One minute, we might be feeling on top of the world, and the next, overwhelmed with anxiety, anger, or sadness. The emotional instability is in part caused by the late development of the brain regions in charge of controlling emotions and decision-making. They don’t develop fully until the age of 25.
This explains why teens often struggle to regulate their feelings. According to one Time report “early adolescence (ages 13-14) is the period of greatest mood swings. However, these mood swings are a normal part of adolescent development, and most teens’ emotional ‘paintings’ stabilise by age 18’”.1
Now what exactly are teenagers thinking about? Well, I’ve estimated around 20% family, 30% friends, 30% social media, 10% what other people think about them, 7% themselves and only 3% schoolwork. This seems to be the case with most of the teens I encounter daily.
Figures from the Pew Research Centre explain the problems teenagers are thinking and worrying about.2 The top five issues they found were anxiety and depression, bullying, drug addiction, alcohol addiction and poverty.
Teenagers also have a lot to go through. According to NIHMThe National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services. around 2.3 % of teenagers are affected by panic disorder. That’s approximately 3 million teenagers in the US alone.3
So, what can be done to help? We should recognise that teenagers are under a lot of pressure, not just from schoolwork, but from societal and personal expectations. It’s not just about getting through the day — it’s about providing real support. Schools and communities could implement stronger mental health resources, including counselling, stress management workshops, and peer support systems. Teachers and parents should also be more understanding, creating spaces where teens can express their emotions without fear of judgment.
Additionally, one solution could be promoting open conversations about mental health. Too often, teens feel isolated with their struggles, which only compounds the pressure. By encouraging teens to talk about what’s going on in their minds and showing that mental health is just as important as physical health, we can start to break down the stigma and create a more supportive environment.
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Keywords
NIHM – The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
- According to Time Magazine.
- According to Pew Research Centre.
- According to Good Health Psychiatric Services.
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