World Teen Mental Wellness Day, celebrated on March 2, is a day dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues that teenagers may face. This day is also a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, and a call to action. Break down the stigma surrounding mental health and help teens understand that they are not alone in this journey.
Mental health issues can start at any age and affect more young people than you might think. Over 50% of lifelong mental illnesses develop by age 14 and 75% by age 24.
World Teen Mental Wellness Day, celebrated on March 2, is a day dedicated to raising awareness about mental health issues that teenagers may face. This day is also a listening ear, a shoulder to lean on, and a call to action. We break down the stigma surrounding mental health and help teens understand that they are not alone in this journey.
While school is in session, children are out of the house and in classrooms all day long, so it’s important to pay close attention to behavioral changes and check on their mental health when they’re around.
Things you can say to start or continue a conversation:
· How are you feeling?
· What are you thinking?
· I came to listen
· Is there anything I can do to help?
· I’m always here for you
One in six American youth between the ages of 6 and 17 experiences a mental health disorder each year. According to the latest data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 87,000 youth ages 12 to 17 in Arizona had depression in 2021. If your child is struggling with a mental health condition, they are not alone.
But in reality, they may feel alone and remain silent. Of the 87,000 people who reported suffering from depression in the same year, almost 60% did not receive professional help to cope with their depression. One of the reasons adolescents don’t seek care, he says, is due to stigma and fear of being found out.
Help us remove the stigma by:
· Sharing statistics: Mental health conditions can affect anyone. The sooner people get help, the more likely recovery is to occur.
· Silence Shame: Regardless of the diagnosis, it is important to remember that mental illness is a medical condition. Just like you would go to your doctor to treat a broken bone, you should do the same for your mental health concerns.
· Recognize the strength of speaking up: Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Asking for help when you need it is something to be proud of.
Visit the AZ Blue Behavioral Health page.
