‘World Teen Mental Wellness Day’ helps raise awareness about mental health concerns in youth

Tomorrow (March 2) is “World Teen Mental Wellness Day,” which is observed across the globe to help raise awareness about the mental health issues that teenagers can face. Mental Health America reports that 50% of all people who will have a mental health disorder in their lifetime start to experience symptoms by age 14.

According to a 2023 trends report from the American Psychological Association, teens’ mental health is in crisis. The surgeon general went as far as to declare a mental health crisis for teens in the aftermath of the pandemic and the new stressors and challenges associated with it. However, the APA reports that U.S. children and teens have been suffering since well before COVID-19 arrived. Many things can affect the mental well-being of youth, including stigma, bullying, food insecurity, violence and puberty.

Across the board, psychologists are trying to learn more about what can be done to help. Part of that includes new mental health recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, which recommends regular anxiety screenings for those ages 8 to 18 and regular depression screenings for youth ages 12 to 18. Many times, these screenings can be done by the child’s pediatrician or primary care provider.

Parents, guardians, teachers, coaches and others who are concerned about a teen in their life can refer to a video by the National Alliance on Mental Illness titled “10 Common Warning Signs of a Mental Health Condition in Teens and Young Adults,” which offers guidance on behaviors that could indicate a problem. Additionally, Mental Health America’s article “Know the Signs: Recognizing Mental Health Concerns in Kids and Teens” offers more support.

Learn more

Many organizations have resources and information available on this subject. They include:

• Bullying: Tips for Parents – Mental Health America
• Depression in Teens – MHA
• Science Shows How to Protect Kids’ Mental Health, but It’s Being Ignored – Scientific American
• Talking to Teens and Adolescents: Starting the Conversation – MHA
• Talking to Teens and Adolescents: Time to Talk – MHA
• Talking to Teens and Adolescents: What to Do and Where to Go – MHA

SupportLinc, provider of behavioral health services for Purdue’s West Lafayette campus, also has a variety of resources available, such as:

• ADHD Ages 12-16 – article
• Cyberbullying – article
• Depression in Children and Teenagers – article
• Depression and Violence in Teens – article
• Loneliness in Teens – article
• Parenting Teenagers Age 15-17 – article
• Parenting and Teen Stress – article
• Supporting Teen Mental Health – tip sheet
• Teens and Anxiety – video
• The Grieving Teen – article

To utilize SupportLinc resources, including the items above as well talk therapy and more, call 888-881-5462 or visit the SupportLinc website or app (available in the App Store and on Google Play), and log in to get started. First-time users will create an account by following steps provided. SupportLinc care advocates are available 24/7, 365 days a year. 

ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES

To assist faculty and staff

Faculty and staff can review the Mental Health Resources webpage for a variety of available resources, which support the behavioral health pillar of the Healthy Boiler Program, and information on Purdue’s health plan coverage for mental health and substance abuse. 

To assist students

Faculty and staff who work with students or have a student at home can direct them to the resources below for behavioral health assistance. Note: United Healthcare Student Resources — medical plan provider for students and graduate students — offers 292 unique mental health providers serving at various locations that are in-network with UHCSR within Tippecanoe County. The list is available here. Additionally, students have access to HealthiestYou, which provides virtual access to mental health care as part of UHCSR’s plan. All services are free for students covered under the UHCSR insurance plan.   

Office of the Dean of Students

• Continuous Network of Support
• Services and Information
• Presentations & Trainings
• Student of Concern Reporting Link

Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS)

• Therapy Services at CAPS
• Self-help Resources
• Group Therapy
• CAPS YouTube channel
• NAMI on Campus – A free, virtual support group on campus
• Thriving Campus – Service that provides students a way to search for mental health providers in many areas, locally and across the country
• WellTrack – Interactive, self-help therapy app for students