Being a teenager in high school is rough. If you’re struggling with your emotional and social well-being, know that you’re not alone. Statistics show that depression usually sets in around age 15, and roughly 25% of adolescents show signs of having depression. Additionally, almost 1 out of 10 teenagers have attempted suicide in the past year. These numbers show that poor mental health is a serious, ongoing problem for many high school students.
Not all is lost, however. Knowing the factors that can lead to poor emotional and social well-being is the first step to combating them. There are also strategies that you can use to improve your mental health. There are things that parents and schools can do to help as well. Let’s explore the possibilities.
Factors That Lead to Poor Emotional and Social Well-Being
High school students are trying to figure out who they are and what their place is in society. That journey of discovery, combined with wanting to be accepted by peers, competing for grades, high-stakes testing, and preparing for college makes them feel hemmed in on all sides. In addition to those problems, many are also dealing with broken homes, physical or emotional abuse, and legal issues.
And then there’s the pressure brought on by constantly being connected to smartphones and ever-present social media. Too much social media usage has been linked to numerous problems:
- A decrease in actual social activity
- Loneliness
- Envy or jealousy
- Anxiety due to the constant pressure of keeping up with online activity.
- Sleep deprivation
- Communication issues with actual people they are connected with
- Cyberbullying and sexting
These factors, in addition to being genetically predisposed for them, can lead to mental health issues. These problems may not be readily apparent when we outwardly look at someone but can still be debilitating to their lives nonetheless. Mental health issues can run the gamut, from depression and anxiety to eating and personality disorders to serious diseases such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Knowing the signs of possible mental illness will help you spot likely problems, not only in yourself but in others, which is the first step to getting help.
Start with a Good Morning Routine
Now that you know factors that can lead to emotional and social unrest, let’s discuss ways to combat them. One thing that can help is by creating a solid morning routine. People who adopt healthy morning routines are more likely to be productive and organized. There are even studies that show they may make more money. This will help reduce your stress levels for the rest of the day. There are several steps to building a morning routine that is right for you:
- Look at what others do to start their mornings but come up with something that will work for you whether that is for you to exercise, meditate, or study. What will benefit you the most?
- Take a look at things that have to be in your routine: personal hygiene, getting dressed, and eating breakfast, and make sure they are part of your routine.
- Consider logistics. You need 7-9 hours of sleep each night and must be to work or school on time in the morning. How can your routine help you accomplish this?
- Start small. Put the things you need to do in the best possible order and then begin adding things you want to do, one by one.
- Be consistent. It takes time to create a habit.
Other Wellness Strategies
In addition to establishing a good morning routine, limiting smartphone use and exposure to social media is imperative, but it’s also a balancing act. You need to learn how to take advantage of the good aspects of technology while staving off the negatives. Delete social media apps from your phone. If that is too much to ask, stuff them in a folder on the last page of your apps so they’re not easy to access. You should also consider taking a week off from social media every once in a while. It will do you a world of good.
You may want to also consider volunteering. Volunteering does a lot more than add positive things to your transcript. Ninety percent of volunteers admit that when they help others, they feel good about themselves, and they have a more positive attitude of themselves in many areas. Volunteers feel more confident, optimistic, and independent. It is a great self-esteem booster.
What Parents Can Do to Help
While teenagers can do a lot to benefit their own emotional and social well-being, it is also important that they know they are not alone. There are many things that parents can do to help:
- Be aware of warning signs that something could be wrong. These can include extreme mood swings, constantly being exhausted, changed eating habits, or wearing long sleeves or bandages to hide evidence of self-harm.
- Discuss mental illness openly with your teen and let them know that it is okay to speak up and talk about their problems. Ignoring or hiding from possible problems will not make them go away.
- Listen when your teen comes to you with a problem. Let them know you love them no matter what. Do not dismiss their issues or make excuses for their problems. It is important to be supportive. Think before you talk so you don’t say the wrong thing.
- Talk to your teen about drug abuse. Don’t just assume that they would “never do that.” Learn how to approach them. You want to talk with them, not confront them.
- Find a counselor if one appears to be needed, and let your teen know that it’s okay to seek outside help.
Doing these things can go a long way to letting your teen know that you will support them, no matter what.
What About Schools?
High school students and their parents also need to feel as they are not alone. Schools play a vital role as well. They can do this in the following ways:
- Being a supportive, confidential outlet when students need to discuss their frustrations and problems.
- Developing ways to bring awareness to the problem of bullying and devising strategies to prevent bullying from happening on campus.
- Putting in place approaches that allow students to feel supported and safe when they are experiencing a school-based trauma.
- Providing a safe place where students can learn to identify and cope with their emotions.
- Offering support groups for students who have experienced some type of loss.
- Collaborating with outside support agencies to provide services and assistance to students and families who need additional help.
Today’s teenagers are faced with many pressures and difficulties, and sometimes coping is not easy, which can lead to poor emotional and social well-being and contribute to mental health issues. However, there are things teens can do with the help of their parents and in cooperation with their schools to make sure that they make it through these difficult times with their sanity and well-being intact.
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This article appeared in the digital magazine version for fall college planning: http://magazine.nextstepu.com/
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Jori Hamilton is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest who covers social justice issues, healthcare, and politics. You can follow her work on twitter @HamiltonJori or through her portfolio https://writerjorihamilton.contently.com/
