Teen Mental Health Summary Being a teenager is hard. You’re under stress to be liked, do well in school, get along with your family, and make big decisions. You can’t avoid most of these pressures, and worrying about them is normal. But feeling very sad, hopeless or worthless could be warning signs of a mental health problem. Mental health problems are real, painful, and sometimes severe. You might need help if you have the signs mentioned above, or if you Often feel very angry or very worried Feel grief for a long time after a loss or death Think your mind is controlled or out of control Use alcohol or drugs Exercise, diet and/or binge-eat obsessively Hurt other people or destroy property Do reckless things that could harm you or others Mental health problems can be treated. To find help, talk to your parents, school counselor, or health care provider. National Institute of Mental Health Specifics 3 Ways to Increase Positive Emotions Nemours Foundation About Stressful Situations Nemours Foundation About Teen Suicide (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Anxiety Disorders Nemours Foundation Anxiety Disorders Nemours Foundation Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens National Institute of Mental Health Body Image and Self-Esteem Nemours Foundation Depression Nemours Foundation Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder National Institute of Mental Health Fears and Phobias Nemours Foundation Guy’s Guide to Body Image Nemours Foundation How Can I Stop Cutting? Nemours Foundation Managing Your Emotional Reactions Nemours Foundation Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Nemours Foundation Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Nemours Foundation Seasonal Affective Disorder Nemours Foundation Self-Injury in Adolescents American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Social Phobia Nemours Foundation The Power of Positive Emotions Nemours Foundation Trichotillomania Nemours Foundation Find an Expert American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry KidsHealth Nemours Foundation Mental Health Treatment Program Locator Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Psychologist Locator American Psychological Association Treatments and Therapies Antidepressant Medications for Children and Adolescents: Information for Parents and Caregivers National Institute of Mental Health Antidepressants for Children and Teens Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Antipsychotic Drugs for Children and Adolescents: What You Should Know Consumers Union of U.S. Going to a Therapist Nemours Foundation Mental Health Medications National Institute of Mental Health Psychotherapies for Children and Adolescents American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Related Issues BAM! Guide to Getting Along Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coping with Cliques Nemours Foundation Dealing with a Health Condition Nemours Foundation Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Adolescents American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters: What Parents Can Do National Institute of Mental Health How Can I Deal with My Anger Nemours Foundation How Can I Help a Friend Who Cuts? Nemours Foundation Partnering with Your Child’s School: A Guide for Parents HSC Foundation Peer Pressure Nemours Foundation Preventing Misuse and Diversion of Medication American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Resilience for Teens: Got Bounce? American Psychological Association Teen Brain: Still Under Construction National Institute of Mental Health Teens and Stress: Who Has Time for It? American Academy of Family Physicians Why Am I in Such a Bad Mood? Nemours Foundation Your Feelings Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Start Here Child and Adolescent Mental Health National Institute of Mental Health Emotional Health (For Young Men) Children’s Hospital Boston How to Live a Happy Life Nemours Foundation Mental Health Conditions Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Understanding Your Teen’s Emotional Health American Academy of Family Physicians Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Teen Mental Health National Institutes of Health Statistics and Research Combinations of Types of Mental Health Services Received in the Past Year Among Young Adults Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Heritability Maps May Hold Clues to Delayed Onset of Mental Disorders National Institute of Mental Health Major Depressive Episode among Full-Time College Students and Other Young Adults, Aged 18 to 22 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Psychotropic Medication Use among Adolescents: United States, 2005-2010 National Center for Health Statistics Use of Selected Nonmedication Mental Health Services by Adolescent Boys and Girls with Serious Emotional or Behavioral Difficulties: United States, 2010-2012 National Center for Health Statistics Diagnosis and Tests Comprehensive Psychiatric Evaluation American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Mental Health and Teens: Watch for Danger Signs American Academy of Pediatrics Array Help your teen cope with stress Helping your teen with depression Managing your depression – teens Recognizing teen depression Health Check Tools How’s Your Self-Esteem? (Quiz) Nemours Foundation Journal Articles Teen mental health Teen mental health problems Latest News Pets Help Homeless Youth, Study Finds HealthDay How to Tell If Your Teen Has a Mental Health Problem HealthDay Depression More Common in Kids Who Join Gangs, Study Finds HealthDay New Guidelines Issued on Breast, Genital Plastic Surgery for Teen Girls HealthDay Troubled Kids’ Psychiatric Care Often Delayed by Insurance Rules HealthDay Talk Therapy May Help Depressed Teens Who Shun Antidepressants HealthDay