Mental Health Matters (MHM) is an annual day of action during which thousands of people across New York State take a stand to raise awareness and reduce stigma about mental illness, which in turn leads to improved access to care. MHM also educates people about mental health conditions and demonstrates that while they can be difficult to overcome, they are highly treatable, just like any other chronic medical condition.

It’s important to remember that the symptoms of mental health disorders can be similar to physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomachaches, and that many times they are harder to detect because of the way they affect an individual’s thinking, emotions, behavior, and perceptions of reality. For these reasons, it is very important that adolescents and their families know how to recognize warning signs of mental illness and take action when they notice them.

During adolescence, the brain is particularly vulnerable to mood changes. For teens who struggle with depression or anxiety, these symptoms can have serious, long-lasting effects. For example, they can make it difficult to concentrate or learn in school and may result in a decline in friendships or family ties. In addition, they can lead to self-medication with alcohol or drugs that temporarily relieve feelings of stress and anxiety. However, the abuse of these substances can lead to addiction and often exacerbates existing mental health problems.

It is also important for teens to develop healthy coping skills and social connections. This can be done through a variety of activities, including regular exercise, adopting good sleep habits, and participating in positive relationships and supportive environments at home, at school, or within the community.

For teens who may be struggling with depression, anxiety or other mental health issues, there are a variety of treatment options, including psychotherapy and medication. The goal of psychotherapy is to help children and teenagers understand the way their thoughts, behaviors and emotions are connected with their relationships, experiences, and surroundings. Therapists use techniques such as interpersonal therapy to improve communication, and cognitive behavioral therapy to help patients learn how their negative thoughts and behaviors can impact their mental health.

There are some teens who are at greater risk of developing a mental health condition due to living in humanitarian or fragile settings, being a victim of violence, suffering from chronic illness or disability, or being excluded from quality support and services. These teens need to be prioritized in efforts to address mental ill-health and have access to the services they require. Interventions should aim to promote alternatives to harmful risk-taking behaviours, increase the capacity to regulate emotions, and build resilience for overcoming life’s challenges. They should also avoid institutionalization and over-medicalization and ensure human rights for adolescents, especially those most in need.