Have you ever heard of the phrase “growing pains?” There’s a reason why it exists – growing up definitely isn’t easy, and we totally understand!!! If you’re a young person between the ages of 14-24 (right within the demographic our Workforce programs serve), then you’re dealing with the pressures of school, friendships, familial expectations, and even figuring out what you want to do with your life. While being a teen or a young adult is supposed to be an exciting time, the truth is that many young people can’t help but feel anxious or overwhelmed when it comes to the future. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 5 adolescents aged 12-17 have a diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition, and around 40% of highschoolers report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness [1]. The fact of the matter is, you’re not alone, and here are five other things we want teens (and the adults in their lives) to know:
1. Recognizing the Signs: When “Moodiness” is Something More
Adolescence is a crucial time to develop lifelong habits for addressing mental health. Also, because it’s a time for many changes, many symptoms can fly under the radar. While everyone experiences changes in mood or periods of struggle, it’s important to pay attention to consistent patterns of behavior; if find yourself withdrawing from friends/family, losing interest in activities, and or are experiencing poor performance in school, this can be a sign of something deeper (and likewise, if as a parent/guardian, you notice these occurrences in your teen, it’s time to to speak up) [2].
2. Building a Foundation: Daily Habits for Better Mental Wellness
Just like our physical health, our habits can make or break our mental health. Across the board, getting 8-10 hours of sleep, keeping active and eating well, nourishing our relationships and hobbies, and building connections with loved ones and peers can help tremendously when it comes to our mood and ability to cope.
3. The Power of Connection: Mindfulness and Open Communication
On that last point, a big part of building our relationships is fostering open communication – both with ourselves and others. It’s important to check in with yourself, through practices such as journaling or even incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine – basically, you want to create space in the day to check in with yourself and acknowledge how you’re feeling. Likewise, it’s important to know how to reach out to others – being able to tell a trusted adult or even a friend that you’re feeling overwhelmed not only connects you with help – but can even build stronger relationships.
4. Unplug to Recharge: Managing Screen Time and Mental Health
One habit that you might consider is lowering your overall screentime. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, 4+ hours of daily screentime is linked to increased levels of anxiety, depression, and lower levels of well-being in teenagers. It is also linked to less/poor sleep and reduced physical activity [3]. Try to spend at least 30 minutes off your phone before bed each night and, as you get used to the habit, try to extend that time to an hour.
5. Breaking the Stigma: Finding and Using Mental Health Resources
Our final tip is to remember that there is no shame in utilizing mental health resources. If you feel that you need to talk with someone, remember that you can always visit your school counselor or bring up your concerns to your personal physician. Also, NYC offers Talkspace services – a free online therapy platform – for its teenage residents.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, November 29). Mental health of adolescents and school health. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-youth/mental-health/index.html
[2] Chrysalis Psychiatry. (n.d.). 10 mental health tips for teens and young adults. https://chrysalispsychiatry.com/blog/10-mental-health-tips-for-teens-and-young-adults/
[3] Zablotsky, B., Ng, A. E., Black, L. I., Haile, G., Bose, J., Jones, J. R., & Blumberg, S. J. (2025). Associations between screen time use and health outcomes among US teenagers. Preventing Chronic Disease, 22, Article E38.https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd22.240537
