The Underlying Risks for Adolescents’ Mental Wellbeing

Several elements contribute to adolescents’ vulnerability to

mental disorders. Traumatic experiences like abuse or neglect top
the list. Other risks include exposure to substance use and genetic
predisposition.
1.Persistent illnesses have also significantly increased
susceptibility (JAMA Pediatrics).
2.Social determinants such as poverty or low socioeconomic
status are known culprits, too.
3.The burden of academic expectations coupled with peer
influence often leads adolescents to stress-related disorders,
including anxiety and depression.
 Bullying
• Nearly one in four teens between the ages of 12 and 18 report being bullied each year.
Research suggests that social media has made bullying much more public and more
pervasive. In fact, cyberbullying has replaced in-person bullying as the most common type of
harassment that teens experience.
• To help guard against these kinds of teenage troubles, regularly talk to your teen about bullying
and consider utilizing these tips to help:
• Discuss what they can do when they witness bullying.
• Talk about options if they become a target themselves.
• Recognize that being proactive is key to helping your child deal with a bully.
• Talk to your child about when and how to get help from a trusted adult.
• Acknowledge that talking about how someone has humiliated them is never an easy topic.
• Remind them that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness; it's a show of courage.
 Types of Bullying:

• Physical Bullying – Hitting, kicking, pushing, or

damaging someone's belongings.
• Verbal Bullying – Teasing, name-calling, taunting, or
making threats.
• Social/Relational Bullying – Spreading rumors,
excluding someone, or embarrassing them in public.
• Cyberbullying – Using digital platforms (social media,
texts, emails) to threaten, harass, or humiliate.
 Causes of Bullying:

• Desire for power or control

• Poor self-esteem
• Learned behavior from home or environment
• Lack of empathy or understanding
• Peer pressure or desire to fit in
 Prevention and Intervention:

• Promoting awareness and education in schools

• Encouraging open communication between children and
adults
• Establishing strict anti-bullying policies
• Providing counseling and support services for both victims
and bullies
• Teaching empathy, respect, and conflict resolution skills
 Sexual Activity
• According to the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) survey, 30% of high school students reported having
had sex and 21% said they were currently sexually active. That represents a decline over the past decade (47% had
had sex in 2011; 34% were currently sexually active).
• This decline in sexual activity doesn't necessarily mean teens nowadays are using contraceptives, though. Just over
half of sexually active teens reported using a condom in their last sexual encounter, according to YRBSS data, while
about one-third used hormonal birth control and 10% used both.
• This may explain why more than half of the 26 million new sexually transmitted infections in the U.S. are among young
people between the ages of 15 and 24.Here are some things you can do to ensure that your teen understands the risks
of teen sex and how to be safe:
• Talk to your teen about sex and allow them to ask questions.
• Let them know they can come to you about anything and that no questions are off-limits.
• Do your best to not shame them or make them feel embarrassed by their inquiries.
• Instill the importance of safe sex practices—even if you don't think your child is engaging in sexual activity.
• Discuss contraception options and make sure they have access to contraception if they're sexually active.
• Give them resources to learn about safe sex.
 Drug Use
• The percentage of teens nowadays using illicit substances is roughly 10.9% of eighth graders, 19.8% of 10th graders, and 31.2% of
12th graders, according to most recent data from the Monitoring the Future Survey published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
While this decline has been noted since the survey began in 1975, there has been a dramatic rise in overdoses among teens.
• Illicit fentanyl, a powerful synthetic drug, is largely responsible for these overdoses. Drug dealers are adding it to counterfeit pills
made to resemble prescription medications, which means that although teen drug use is declining, it's becoming riskier for those who
do partake.
• It's important to have regular conversations with your teen about the dangers of drugs. Here are some key topics you need to discuss:
• Mention the dangers of over-the-counter drugs and prescription medications. Many teens don't recognize the risks associated with
taking a friend's prescription or popping a few pills.
• Tell your teen that drug use during adolescence increases their risk for developing a substance use disorder later in life.
• Address how easily addictions can happen.
• Discuss how drug and alcohol use can affect their brain development.
• Talk about the risks associated with overdosing.
• Explain the danger of illicit fentanyl contaminating counterfeit drugs.
• Recognize talks about drug use are not one-and-done conversations, but something you should be discussing on a consistent basis.
 Alcohol Use
• Alcohol use and binge drinking continue to decline among teenagers. Still, 15.1% of eighth graders,
30.6% of 10th graders, and 45.7% of seniors say they used alcohol in the past year. The forms of
alcohol teens are using have also changed. More kids are choosing flavored alcohol (also called
"alcopops") and alcohol with caffeine in it. About 36% of seniors reported drinking flavored alcohol.
• It's important to talk to your teen about the risks of underage drinking. Here are some tips on how
to navigate those conversations.
• Educate them about the dangers of alcohol use, including the fact that alcohol can take a serious
toll on their developing brain.
• Express your disapproval of underage drinking. Saying you don't approve can make a big difference
in whether your teen decides to drink.
• Discuss the dangers of drinking and driving.
• Let them know that if they do decide to drink, they should call you or another trusted adult for a
ride rather than risk getting behind the wheel.
 Obesity
• About 22% of 12- to 19-year-olds in the U.S. are obese, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) data. Hispanic and Black children are more likely to be overweight or obese than White or Asian children.
• Children and teens who are overweight or obese are often targeted by bullies and are at a much greater risk of
lifelong health problems such as diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and heart disease. They may also struggle
with body image issues or develop eating disorders as a way of changing their appearance.
• But surveys show parents may not recognize when their kids are overweight. They tend to underestimate their
child's size and the risks associated with being overweight. Here are some ways you can help:
• Ask their health care provider privately about their weight in comparison to their height and age—though many
health care providers will alert you to an issue without asking.
• Find ways to support and empower your teen, especially if their doctor recommends a different eating plan or
exercise.
• Ensure your teen has the necessary tools to make changes, but recognize that they must want to change. You
can't force the issue, nor should you try to control them,
• Avoid shaming or embarrassing your teen about their weight, but instead communicate acceptance for who
they are as a person. They need to know their worth is not tied to their weight.
 Academic Problems

• About 5% of high school students drop out of high school each year in the United States, according
to the National Center for Education Statistics.22 A high school dropout is likely to earn significantly
less over their lifetime when compared to a high school graduate, which can have a significant
impact on a young person's future.
• But it's no longer just "troubled teens" who are dropping out of school. Some teens feel so
much pressure to get into a good college that they're burning themselves out before they graduate
from high school.
• Here are some ways you can help your teen avoid academic problems:
• Stay involved in your teen's education.
• Provide support and guidance when needed.
• Be ready to assist your teen if they encounter problems.
• Try to remove some of the pressure they may be facing by not placing so much emphasis on
grades, achievements, and college acceptances.
THANK YOU
 Short Answer Questions
• List two signs that an adolescent may be experiencing emotional abuse.
Answer:
• Name one positive coping mechanism for anger and explain why it is effective.
Answer:
• Why is early intervention important for adolescents engaging in self-harming
behaviors?
Answer:
• What are two principles of positive discipline?
Answer:
• Describe one consequence of neglect on adolescent development.
 True/False Questions
1. Anger is always a negative emotion.
2. A child wearing long sleeves even in hot weather could be a sign of self-
harm.
3.
Positive discipline involves harsh punishments to correct behavior.
4.
Emotional abuse is harder to recognize compared to physical abuse.
5.
Seeking help for mental health concerns related to abuse is a sign of
weakness.
 Fill-in-the-Blanks
1. Cutting and burning are common examples of ____________ behaviors.

2. Providing clear, firm boundaries and rewards for good behavior are examples of
____________.
3.
Neglect is a form of abuse where a caregiver fails to provide ____________.
4.
Hormonal changes during ____________ can contribute to anger issues in adolescents.
5.
Therapeutic approaches like ____________ are used to help adolescents with self-
harming behaviors.