Top 3 Mental Health Challenges High School Students Face (That Are Not Stress & Anxiety)
In today's busy and fast-paced world, there's a truth we can't ignore - 20% of teenagers are dealing with mental health disorders. This raises an important question: should we be genuinely concerned? As institutions responsible for students' well-being, what practical steps can we take to bring about meaningful change?
The Impact of Mental Health Disorders on High School Students
Mental health disorders impact many vital areas of a student's life. For instance, it may affect their performance at school, decision-making, and drug abuse. By the time teenagers reach the age of eighteen, approximately one in three of them meet the criteria outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This manual helps identify mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, and phobias. Because many health behaviors and habits that will carry over into adulthood are developed in these teenage years, it is essential to help high school students develop good mental health.
Top Three Mental Health Challenges in High School Students
Depression
School stressors can be extra challenging for adolescents already struggling with the ups and downs of growing up. Being a teenager is no walk in the park. Becoming an adult changes their emotions and bodies, making it harder to deal with stress. On top of that, they're trying to figure out their preferences and dislikes.
They're learning to handle the world outside their family and dealing with questions about their gender and sexual identity. Experts say that today's teenagers have less resilience than previous generations, which means they're more likely to feel overwhelmed by school pressures.
Let's take a closer look - Mental Health America (MHA) statistics confirm high depression rates in high school. Here are MHA's 2023 statistics on high school depression:
- Sixteen percent of US teens (ages 12 to 17), more than 4 million adolescents - had at least one major depressive episode in 2022.
- In addition, 11.5 percent of US youth (over 2.7 million high school students) experience major depressive disorder with severe impairment.
- 3 in 5 teens with depression receive no mental health treatment. In some states, three-quarters of high school students with depression did not receive mental health services.
Mental health awareness has increased lately among students, but that doesn't always lead to action. Teens require support from parents, school professionals, and mentors to get help for depression while in high school. Studies reveal that 75% of mental health issues start during adolescence and young adulthood.
ADHD
As expectations and responsibilities increase during high school, teenagers with ADHD may have trouble keeping up. ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is a condition high school students experience. It affects their ability to pay attention, control impulsive behavior, and manage energy levels. Teenagers with this condition tend to struggle more at school than others. ADHD makes it difficult for them to focus on tests or organize their school/life balance, especially as their classes get more challenging.
About 8.7% of adolescents have been diagnosed with ADHD at some point. Around 4.2% of teens have ADHD symptoms that severely impair them. Moreover, this condition is diagnosed three times as often in teenage boys as in adolescent girls. During the teenage years, emotions can be pretty intense for all adolescents, but those with ADHD often struggle with regulating their emotions effectively.
This can lead to experiencing more emotional ups and downs, making the rollercoaster of high school, friends, exams, and student life twice as intense for them. Their impulsive reactions to these feelings can make managing frustration, anger, and other strong emotions challenging. This affects them and those around them, as navigating these emotional challenges can be tough for everyone involved.
Students with ADHD experience an ongoing pattern of symptoms:
- Inattention: difficulty paying attention
- Hyperactivity: excessive energy or moving and talking too much
- Impulsivity: acting without thinking or lacking self-control
Some students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder show inattention symptoms - most others suffer from hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms. Some students may even have both types of symptoms.
Eating Disorders
High school students often pass through various pressures that make them feel insecure or stressed, leading to unusual eating habits. One of these pressures is the social pressure of trying to fit in and be accepted by others. Many students desperately want to belong and be "approved" by others, often aiming to achieve specific appearance or body image standards. This can create a solid desire to precisely weigh or look a certain way, leading to unhealthy eating behaviors.
Research has discovered that 35% and 57% of teenage girls engage in extreme behaviors to lose weight. These behaviors involve crash dieting, vomiting, fasting, and misusing laxatives or diet pills. Studies also found that more than half of teenage girls and almost one-third of teen boys adopt unhealthy practices to control their weight. These behaviors directly contribute to eating disorders.
If a student consistently shows sudden and significant weight loss, gain, or fluctuations in a short time, dark circles under the eyes or bloodshot eyes, shows rigid or obsessive thinking about food, eating, and exercise - like labeling foods as good or bad without valid reasons, having unnecessary food restrictions, being uncomfortable or unwilling to share food, and sticking to strict diets without a real reason - it is a cause for concern and immediate action.
The Good News: TadHealth
Nowadays, it's more important than ever for schools to address the growing mental health issues among high school students and provide them with the necessary support before these problems escalate. However, many school leaders often lack the resources, platforms, and training to handle these challenges effectively. Fortunately, proactive steps can be taken to make a difference and ensure a healthy future for students.
At TadHealth, we offer adequate mental health solutions specifically designed for schools. With our smart resources, schools can quickly identify mental health concerns and support struggling or struggling students. Mental health should be simple for students to access and rely on, whether counseling services, online resources, or personalized guidance. Educators and administrators can create an environment where students feel valued by prioritizing mental health and making it a seamless part of the school experience.
Together, let's make a meaningful difference in the lives of students. Discover more about TadHealth and how our comprehensive solutions can effectively support your institution and promote mental health.
By Denia Villegas
