A Teen's Take on Mental Health

By: Kyleigh S.

Have you ever wondered what a teenager's response would be to mental health? 

Well, as a teenager myself, I believe mental health is important because it affects how we feel, think, and act. When we don’t take care of our mental well-being, it can influence our school work, friendships, and even our family life. If we are feeling overwhelmed or anxious, it can be hard to focus in class or enjoy time with friends. That’s why talking about it and finding ways to manage our feelings is so necessary.

Mental health is a big topic for us right now. Many of our friends and ourselves really care about it, and it comes up occasionally in our daily conversations.  We often share our feelings and experiences with one another. It's nice to know that we are not alone.

Social media can help us connect, but sometimes it makes things worse, and can take a toll on our mental health. Seeing perfect images online can make us feel

bad about ourselves. I think adults should know this. It's important to remind teens that what we see online is not always real. Many adults mean well, but sometimes they don't understand how we feel. Some of them say things like, “Just be happy,” “You’ll be fine,” or “Things will get better.” While that is true, it can feel dismissive at the moment. It would be better if they asked us how we really feel and listened to our answers.

In our schools, mental health resources are slowly improving, but there is still a long way to go. Sometimes, we have counselors, but they are busy or hard to reach. More accessibility would help a lot. Counseling can really help our mental health as teens because it gives us a safe space to talk about our struggles without judgment. A good counselor can help us find solutions and feel understood. Group settings and open discussions would also be beneficial. Some things that help me are talking to a trusted adult or friend  and writing in a journal. It feels good to get my thoughts out. I also find that exercising helps clear my mind.

In summary, it’s important for teens to have adults who understand our challenges and create safe spaces for open conversations. Mental health matters a lot, and we can support each other in this journey. If you're a teen looking for help or just someone to talk to, consider joining a counseling program. It can be a great way to connect with others and share your experiences in a safe environment.