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Suicide is now the third leading cause of death among American adolescents, the study authors noted.

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For example, the rise in suicide-related hospitalizations was particularly high among teens aged 15 to 17, who accounted for more than half of all the cases. The second highest rise was seen among teens aged 12 to 14, who accounted for 37 percent of all cases.

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In Canada approximately 200 youth between the ages of 15 and 24 years die by suicide (Statistics Canada, CANISM, table 102-0551). The eects of youth suicide go beyond the deceased, impacting those who survive their death – their parents, friends, peers and communities.

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There are many suicide prevention hotlines, therapies, and other resources people rely on to help with their mental illnesses
''We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals."

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We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

988

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The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We're committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering individuals, advancing professional best practices, and building awareness.

About The Lifeline

Anyone could be struggling with suicide. Find more specific resources below.

I'm Struggling With Individuals with Neurodivergence

We understand that every struggle is different. Experience the stories of people like you, and how they overcame crisis to find hope and recovery.
read stories of hope & recovery

First, you'll hear an automated message featuring additional options while your call is routed to your local 988 Lifeline network crisis center.

We'll play you a little music while we connect you to a skilled, trained crisis worker.

A trained crisis worker at your local center will answer the phone.

This person will listen to you, understand how your problem is affecting you, provide support, and get you the help you need.

988 Lifeline Center calls are free and confidential, and we're available 24/7.

Show What Happens When You Call The Lifeline

Everyone Plays A Role In Suicide Prevention

Get in touch

Call the Lifeline

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Skip to main content We can all help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States. 988 ¡Los servicios de texto y chat de 988 Lifeline ya están disponibles en español!

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Suicide and depression alone affects most teenagers, even if it only for a short period of time.

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A very popular show was released on Netflix in 2017 called "13 Reasons Why". It goes through the story of why a girl, Hannah Baker, killed herself. Each episode goes through little bits and pieces of why she ended her life, and how her death affected her peers.

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Research confirms that psychodynamic psychotherapy is highly effective. For example, Shedler writes, "One major study found an ‘effect size'—a measure of treatment benefit—of 0.97" for psychodynamic psychotherapy. "For CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), 0.68 is a typical effect size. For antidepressant medication, the average effect size is 0.31."

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Teen depression can have multiple causes. One of the most common is an imbalance in the chemicals in the brain that regulate mood. The hormonal changes that occur during puberty and adolescence can also result in depression.

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But adolescence is an equally important period of rapid development, and too few of us are paying attention to how our teenagers’ use of technology—much more intense and intimate than a 3-year-old playing with dad’s iPhone—is affecting them. In fact, experts worry that the social media and text messages that have become so integral to teenage life are promoting anxiety and lowering self-esteem.

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Many parents worry about how exposure to technology might affect toddlers developmentally. We know our preschoolers are picking up new social and cognitive skills at a stunning pace, and we don't want hours spent glued to an iPad to impede that. But adolescence is an equally important period of rapid development, and too few of us are paying attention to how our teenagers' use of technology - much more intense and intimate than a 3-year-old playing with dad's iPhone - is affecting them. In fact, experts worry that the social media and text messages that have become so integral to teenage life are promoting anxiety and lowering self-esteem.

Young people report that there might be good reason to worry. A survey conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health asked 14-24-year-olds in the UK how social media platforms impacted their health and well-being. The survey results found that Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all led to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image, and loneliness.

Indirect communication

Teens are masters at keeping themselves occupied in the hours after school until way past bedtime. When they're not doing their homework (and when they are) they're online and on their phones, texting, sharing, trolling, scrolling, you name it. Of course before everyone had an Instagram account teens kept themselves busy, too, but they were more likely to do their chatting on the phone, or in person when hanging out at the mall. It may have looked like a lot of aimless hanging around, but what they were doing was experimenting, trying out skills, and succeeding and failing in tons of tiny real-time interactions that kids today are missing out on. For one thing, modern teens are learning to do most of their communication while looking at a screen, not another person.

"As a species we are very highly attuned to reading social cues," says Catherine Steiner-Adair, EdD, a clinical psychologist and author of The Big Disconnect. "There's no question kids are missing out on very critical social skills. In a way, texting and online communicating puts everybody in a context where body language, facial expression, and even the smallest kinds of vocal reactions are rendered invisible."

Lowering the risks

Certainly speaking indirectly creates a barrier to clear communication, but that's not all. Learning how to make friends is a major part of growing up, and friendship requires a certain amount of risk-taking. This is true for making a new friend, but it's also true for maintaining friendships. When there are problems that need to be faced - big ones or small ones - it takes courage to be honest about your feelings and then hear what the other person has to say. Learning to effectively cross these bridges is part of what makes friendship fun and exciting, and also scary. "Part of healthy self-esteem is knowing how to say what you think and feel even when you're in disagreement with other people or it feels emotionally risky," notes Dr. Steiner-Adair.

But when friendship is conducted online and through texts, kids are doing this in a context stripped of many of the most personal - and sometimes intimidating - aspects of communication. It's easier to keep your guard up when you're texting, so less is at stake. You aren't hearing or seeing the effect that your words are having on the other person. Because the conversation isn't happening in real time, each party can take more time to consider a response. No wonder kids say calling someone on the phone is "too intense"- it requires more direct communication, and if you aren't used to that it may well feel scary.

If kids aren't getting enough practice relating to people and getting their needs met in person and in real time, many of them will grow up to be adults who are anxious about our species' primary means of communication - talking. And of course social negotiations only get riskier as people get older and begin navigating romantic relationships and employment.

Cyberbullying and the imposter syndrome

The other big danger that comes from kids communicating more indirectly is that it has gotten easier to be cruel. "Kids text all sorts of things that you would never in a million years contemplate saying to anyone's face," says Donna Wick, EdD, a clinical and developmental psychologist. She notes that this seems to be especially true of girls, who typically don't like to disagree with each other in "real life."

"You hope to teach them that they can disagree without jeopardizing the relationship, but what social media is teaching them to do is disagree in ways that are more extreme and do jeopardize the relationship. It's exactly what you don't want to have happen," she says.

Dr. Steiner-Adair agrees that girls are particularly at risk. "Girls are socialized more to compare themselves to other people, girls in particular, to develop their identities, so it makes them more vulnerable to the downside of all this." She warns that a lack of solid self-esteem is often to blame. "We forget that relational aggression comes from insecurity and feeling awful about yourself, and wanting to put other people down so you feel better."

Peer acceptance is a big thing for adolescents, and many of them care about their image as much as a politician running for office, and to them it can feel as serious. Add to that the fact that kids today are getting actual polling data on how much people like them or their appearance via things like "likes." It's enough to turn anyone's head. Who wouldn't want to make themselves look cooler if they could? So kids can spend hours pruning their online identities, trying to project an idealized image. Teenage girls sort through hundreds of photos, agonizing over which ones to post online. Boys compete for attention by trying to out-gross one other, pushing the envelope as much as they can in the already disinhibited atmosphere online. Kids gang up on each other.

Adolescents have always been doing this, but with the advent of social media they are faced with more opportunities - and more traps - than ever before. When kids scroll through their feeds and see how great everyone seems, it only adds to the pressure. We're used to worrying about the impractical ideals that photoshopped magazine models give to our kids, but what happens with the kid next door is photoshopped, too? Even more confusing, what about when your own profile doesn't really represent the person that you feel like you are on the inside?

"Adolescence and the early twenties in particular are the years in which you are acutely aware of the contrasts between who you appear to be and who you think you are," says Dr. Wick. "It's similar to the 'imposter syndrome' in psychology. As you get older and acquire more mastery, you begin to realize that you actually are good at some things, and then you feel that gap hopefully narrow. But imagine having your deepest darkest fear be that you aren't as good as you look, and then imagine needing to look that good all the time! It's exhausting."

As Dr. Steiner-Adair explains, "Self-esteem comes from consolidating who you are." The more identities you have, and the more time you spend pretending to be someone you aren't, the harder it's going to be to feel good about yourself.

Stalking (and being ignored)

Another big change that has come with new technology and especially smart phones is that we are never really alone. Kids update their status, share what they're watching, listening to, and reading, and have apps that let their friends know their specific location on a map at all times. Even if a person isn't trying to keep his friends updated, he's still never out of reach of a text message. The result is that kids feel hyperconnected with each other. The conversation never needs to stop, and it feels like there's always something new happening.

"Whatever we think of the 'relationships' maintained and in some cases initiated on social media, kids never get a break from them," notes Dr. Wick. "And that, in and of itself, can produce anxiety. Everyone needs a respite from the demands of intimacy and connection; time alone to regroup, replenish and just chill out. When you don't have that, it's easy to become emotionally depleted, fertile ground for anxiety to breed."

It's also surprisingly easy to feel lonely in the middle of all that hyperconnection. For one thing, kids now know with depressing certainty when they're being ignored. We all have phones and we all respond to things pretty quickly, so when you're waiting for a response that doesn't come, the silence can be deafening. The silent treatment might be a strategic insult or just the unfortunate side effect of an online adolescent relationship that starts out intensely but then fades away.

"In the old days when a boy was going to break up with you, he had to have a conversation with you. Or at least he had to call," says Dr. Wick. "These days he might just disappear from your screen, and you never get to have the 'What did I do?' conversation." Kids are often left imagining the worst about themselves.

But even when the conversation doesn't end, being in a constant state of waiting can still provoke anxiety. We can feel ourselves being put on the back burner, we put others back there, and our very human need to communicate is effectively delegated there, too.

What should parents do?

Both experts interviewed for this article agreed that the best thing parents can do to minimize the risks associated with technology is to curtail their own consumption first. It's up to parents to set a good example of what healthy device usage looks like. Most of us check our phones or our email too much, out of either real interest or nervous habit. Kids should be used to seeing our faces, not our heads bent over a screen. Establish technology-free zones in the house and technology-free hours when no one uses the phone, including mom and dad. "Don't walk in the door after work in the middle of a conversation," Dr. Steiner-Adair advises. "Don't walk in the door after work, say 'hi' quickly, and then 'just check your email.' In the morning, get up a half hour earlier than your kids and check your email then. Give them your full attention until they're out the door. And neither of you should be using phones in the car to or from school because that's an important time to talk."

Not only does limiting the amount of time you spend plugged in to computers provide a healthy counterpoint to the tech-obsessed world, it also strengthens the parent-child bond and makes kids feel more secure. Kids need to know that you are available to help them with their problems, talk about their day, or give them a reality check.

"It is the mini-moments of disconnection, when parents are too focused on their own devices and screens, that dilute the parent-child relationship," Dr. Steiner-Adair warns. And when kids start turning to the internet for help or to process whatever happened during the day, you might not like what happens. "Tech can give your children more information that you can, and it doesn't have your values," notes Dr. Steiner-Adair. "It won't be sensitive to your child's personality, and it won't answer his question in a developmentally appropriate way."

In addition Dr. Wick advises delaying the age of first use as much as possible. "I use the same advice here that I use when talking about kids and alcohol - try to get as far as you can without anything at all." If your child is on a social media platform, Dr. Wick says that you should friend them and monitor their page. But she advises against going through text messages unless there is cause for concern. "If you have a reason to be worried then okay, but it better be a good reason. I see parents who are just plain old spying on their kids. Parents should begin by trusting their children. To not even give your kid the benefit of the doubt is incredibly damaging to the relationship. You have to feel like your parents think you're a good kid."

Offline, the gold standard advice for helping kids build healthy self-esteem is to get them involved in something that they're interested in. It could be sports or music or taking apart computers or volunteering - anything that sparks an interest and gives them confidence. When kids learn to feel good about what they can do instead of how they look and what they own, they're happier and better prepared for success in real life. That most of these activities also involve spending time interacting with peers face-to-face is just the icing on the cake.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does social media affect behavior negatively?

How does social media affect social skills?

How does social media affect teenagers' mental health?

Is social media harmful?

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How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers - Child Mind Institute

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How does social media affect teens? Experts say kids are growing up with more anxiety and less self-esteem due to social media. Read advice for parents from specialists in our article.

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Teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media are more likely to report high levels of behaviors that may be indicators of mental health problems compared to adolescents who do not use social media at all, according to a new study from researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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Teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media are more likely to report high levels of behaviors that may be indicators of mental health problems compared to adolescents who do not use social media at all, according to a new study from researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The study, published today in JAMA Psychiatry, examined the time adolescents reported spending on social media and behaviors that can be indicators of mental health problems: internalizing and externalizing. Internalizing behaviors can involve social withdrawal, directing feelings inward, or difficulty coping with anxiety or depression. Externalizing behaviors can include aggression, acting out, disobeying, or other observable behaviors. Use of social media for any amount of time was associated with both a greater risk of reporting internalizing problems alone and concurrent symptoms of both internalizing and externalizing problems.

"Social media has the ability to connect adolescents who may be excluded in their daily life. We need to find a better way to balance the benefits of social media with possible negative health outcomes."

The study found no significant association with social media use and externalizing problems alone. Teens who spent at least three hours on social media a day had the greatest risk for reporting internalizing problems alone.

"Many existing studies have found a link between digital or social media use and adolescent health, but few look at this association across time," says lead author Kira Riehm, a doctoral student in the Department of Mental Health at the Bloomberg School. "Our study shows that teens who report high levels of time spent on social media are more likely to report internalizing problems a year later. We cannot conclude that social media causes mental health problems, but we do think that less time on social media may be better for teens' health."

Social media use among teens is widespread. Recent polls have found that 95% of teens in the U.S. have access to a smartphone and close to 75% of teens have at least one social media account. The use of social media has both health risks and benefits. These platforms often provide ways to connect with peers and information and resources on causes important to them, but there are risks of cyberbullying and other digital aggressions.

For their study, the researchers used a nationally representative sample of U.S. adolescents ages 13 to 17 from the federally funded Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study between 2013 and 2016. The study collected data over three years, and the analysis involved 6,595 respondents. Each year, participants were asked how much time they spent on social media as well as questions pertaining to symptoms of internal and external mental health problems.

The study found that:

About 17% of adolescents said they did not use social media

32% reported spending less than 30 minutes

31% reported spending 30 minutes to three hours

12% reported spending three to six hours

8% reported spending more than six hours per day

Researchers also found that:

About 9% of participants reported experiencing only internalizing problems

14% reported experiencing externalizing problems only

18% reported experiencing both internal and external problems

59% reported no or low problems

The study found no links between social media use and mental health problems and gender.

"Social media has the ability to connect adolescents who may be excluded in their daily life. We need to find a better way to balance the benefits of social media with possible negative health outcomes," says Riehm. "Setting reasonable boundaries, improving the design of social media platforms, and focusing interventions on media literacy are all ways in which we can potentially find this equilibrium."

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Teen social media use may increase risk of mental health problems

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Teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media are more likely to report high levels of behaviors that may be indicators of mental health problems compared to adolescents who do not use social media at all, according to a new study from researchers at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

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Depression (major depressive disorder) is a medical illness that can interfere with your ability to handle your daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or managing your school work. Depression is common but that doesn’t mean it isn’t serious.

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Introduction

Being a teenager can be tough. There are changes taking place in your body and brain that can affect how you learn, think, and behave. And if you are facing tough or stressful situations, it is normal to have emotional ups and downs.

But if you have been overwhelmingly sad for a long time (a few weeks to months) and you're not able to concentrate or do the things you usually enjoy, you may want to talk to a trusted adult about depression.

What Is Depression?

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a medical illness that can interfere with your ability to handle your daily activities, such as sleeping, eating, or managing your school work. Depression is common but that doesn't mean it isn't serious. Treatment may be needed for someone to feel better. Depression can happen at any age, but often symptoms begin in the teens or early 20s or 30s. It can occur along with other mental disorders, substance abuse, and other health conditions.

Why can't you just 'snap out' of depression?

Well-meaning friends or family members may try to tell someone with depression to "snap out of it," "just be positive," or "you can be happier if you just try harder." But depression is not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. Most people with depression need treatment to get better.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Depression?

Sadness is something we all experience. It is a normal reaction to a loss or a setback, but it usually passes with a little time. Depression is different.

If you are wondering if you may have depression, ask yourself these questions:

Do you constantly feel sad, anxious, or even "empty," like you feel nothing?

Do you feel hopeless or like everything is going wrong?

Do you feel like you're worthless or helpless? Do you feel guilty about things?

Do you feel irritable much of the time?

Do you find yourself spending more time alone and withdrawing from friends and family?

Are your grades dropping?

Have you lost interest or pleasure in activities and hobbies that you used to enjoy?

Have your eating or sleeping habits changed (eating or sleeping more than usual or less than usual)?

Do you always feel tired? Like you have less energy than normal or no energy at all?

Do you feel restless or have trouble sitting still?

Do you feel like you have trouble concentrating, remembering information, or making decisions?

Do you have aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or stomach problems without a clear cause?

Do you ever think about dying or suicide? Have you ever tried to harm yourself?

What Should I Do If I am Considering Suicide or Harming Myself?
If you are in crisis and need help, call this toll-free number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), available 24 hours a day, every day: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). The service is available to everyone. The deaf and hard of hearing can contact the Lifeline via TTY at 1-800-799-4889. All calls are confidential. You can also visit the Lifeline's website at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

The Crisis Text Line is another free, confidential resource available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Text "HOME" to 741741 and a trained crisis counselor will respond to you with support and information over text message. Visit www.crisistextline.org.

Not everyone with depression experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms. Others may have many. The symptoms and how long they last will vary from person to person.

How Do I Get Help?

If you think you might have depression, you are not alone. Depression is common, but it is also treatable. Ask for help! Here are a few steps you can take:

Step 1: Try talking to a trusted adult, such as your parent or guardian, your teacher, or a school counselor. If you don't feel comfortable speaking to an adult, try talking to a friend. If you are not sure where to turn, you can use TXT 4 HELP Interactive (www.nationalsafeplace.org/txt-4-help), which allows you to text live with a mental health professional. For more ideas and a list of health hotlines, visit https://www.nimh.nih.gov/ (search words: children and adolescents).

Step 2: If you're under the age of 18, ask your parent or guardian to make an appointment with your doctor for an evaluation. Your doctor can make sure you don't have a physical illness that may be affecting your mental health. Your doctor may also talk to you about the possibility of seeing a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, counselor, psychologist, or therapist. These practitioners can diagnose and treat depression and other mental disorders.

How is Depression Treated?

Depression is usually treated with psychotherapy, medication, or a combination of the two.

What is psychotherapy?

Psychotherapy (sometimes called "talk therapy") is a term for treatment techniques that can help you identify and manage troubling emotions, thoughts, and behavior. Psychotherapy can take place in a one-on-one meeting with you and a licensed mental health professional. Sometimes you might be part of a group guided by a mental health professional.

Read more about psychotherapy at www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/psychotherapies.

What medications treat depression?

If your doctor thinks you need medicine to treat your depression, he or she might prescribe an antidepressant.

When you are taking an antidepressant, it is important to carefully follow your doctor's directions for taking your medicine. The medication could take up to six weeks to work and you should not stop taking it without the help of a doctor. You should also avoid using alcohol or drugs that have not been prescribed to you so that your medications can work.

When it is time to stop the medication, the doctor will help you slowly and safely decrease the dose so that your body can adjust. If you stop taking the medication too soon, your depression symptoms may return. Another reason to stop medication gradually is that stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety and irritability.

Antidepressants can have side effects. These side effects are usually mild (possible stomach upsets or headaches) and may go away on their own. But talk to your doctor about any side effects that you experience because your doctor might adjust the dose or change the medicine. For more information about side effects, visit www.fda.gov.

Although antidepressants can be effective, they may present serious risks to some, especially children and teens. Anyone taking antidepressants should be monitored closely, especially when they first start taking them. Severe anxiety or agitation early in treatment can be especially distressing and should be reported to the doctor immediately.

For many people, the risks of untreated depression outweigh the side effects of antidepressant medications when they are used under a doctor's careful supervision. Information about medications changes frequently. Talk to your doctor and visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website ( www.fda.gov) for the latest safety information.

What else can I do to help manage my depression?

Be patient and know that treatment takes time to work. In the meantime, you can:

Stay active and exercise, even if it's just going for a walk.

Try to keep a regular sleep schedule.

Spend time with friends and family.

Break down school or work tasks into smaller ones and organize them in order of what needs to get done first. Then, do what you can.

What Can I Do If Someone I Know Might Have Depression?

If you think your friend might have depression, first help him or her talk to a trusted adult who can connect your friend to a health professional. You can also:

Be supportive, patient, and encouraging, even if you don't fully understand what's going on.

Invite your friend to activities, social events, or just to hang out.

Remind your friend that getting help is important and that with time and treatment, he or she will feel better.

Never ignore comments about death and suicide, even if it seems like a joke or overdramatic. Talking about suicide is not just a bid for attention but should be taken seriously. Talk to a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher or older sibling as soon as you can.

What Should I Do If Someone I Know Is Considering Suicide?

Often, family and friends are the first to recognize the warning signs of suicide and can take the first step toward helping the person find help.
Remember:

If someone is telling you that he or she is going to kill himself or herself, do not leave him or her alone.

Do not promise anyone that you will keep his or her suicidal thoughts a secret. Make sure to tell a trusted friend or family member, or an adult with whom you feel comfortable.

Get help as soon as possible. Call 911 for emergency services and/or take the person to the nearest hospital emergency room.

You can also call 1-800-273-TALK (8255), the toll-free number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL), which is available 24 hours a day, every day. The service is available to everyone. All calls are free and confidential. You can also chat with the NSPL online ( http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org).

The Crisis Text Line is another free, confidential resource available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Text "HOME" to 741741 and a trained crisis counselor will respond to you with support and information via text message. Visit https://www.crisistextline.org.

What if someone is posting suicidal messages or something disturbing on social media?

If you see messages or live streaming suicidal behavior on social media, call 911 immediately, contact the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or text the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741).

Some social media sites also have a process to report suicidal content and get help for the person posting the message. Each offers different options on how to respond if you see concerning posts about suicide. For example:

Facebook Suicide Prevention webpage can be found at www.facebook.com/help/594991777257121/ [use the search term "suicide" or "suicide prevention"].

Instagram uses automated tools in the app to provide resources, which can also be found online at https://help.instagram.com [use the search term, "suicide," self-injury," or "suicide prevention"].

Snapchat's Support provides guidance at https://support.snapchat.com [use the search term, "suicide" or "suicide prevention"].

Tumblr Counseling and Prevention Resources webpage can be found at https://tumblr.zendesk.com [use the search term "counseling" or "prevention," then click on "Counseling and prevention resources"].

Twitter's Best Practices in Dealing With Self-Harm and Suicide at https://support.twitter.com [use the search term "suicide," "self-harm," or "suicide prevention"].

YouTube's Safety Center webpage can be found at https://support.google.com/youtube [use the search term "suicide and self-injury"].

Because help via these processes may be delayed, it is still important to call 911 if someone is posting suicidal messages or something disturbing on social media. People-even strangers-have saved lives by being vigilant.

For More Information

For more information on depression and suicide prevention, visit the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) website ( www.nimh.nih.gov).

Related Resources:

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NIH Publication No. 20-MH-8089

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Being a teenager can be tough. There are changes taking place in your body and brain that can affect how you learn, think, and behave. And if you are facing tough or stressful situations, it is normal to have emotional ups and downs.

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Adolescence (10–19 years) is a unique and formative time. Multiple physical, emotional and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems

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Adolescence (10-19 years) is a unique and formative time. Multiple physical, emotional and social changes, including exposure to poverty, abuse, or violence, can make adolescents vulnerable to mental health problems. Promoting psychological well-being and protecting adolescents from adverse experiences and risk factors that may impact their potential to thrive are critical for their well-being during adolescence and for their physical and mental health in adulthood.

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the truth is, not all depictions of mental health in the media are healthy. In fact, many TV shows and films have an alarmingly poor grasp on what it really means to have a mental illness and perpetuate harmful stereotypes that feed the stigmas attached to it. However, by understanding these shortcomings and arming yourself with the right tools to have constructive conversations with loved ones about mental health, you can support a more accurate understanding of mental illness in your household.

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Depictions of Mental Health in Pop Culture

There's a reason talking about mental health in any setting can be intimidating: it's about the wounds you can't see, and the complex neurological wiring you can't quite understand. So, when depictions of mental illness are finally shown center stage in pop culture, it can be a relief to those who suffer silently knowing they are not alone in their feelings.

But the truth is, not all depictions of mental health in the media are healthy. In fact, many TV shows and films have an alarmingly poor grasp on what it really means to have a mental illness and perpetuate harmful stereotypes that feed the stigmas attached to it. However, by understanding these shortcomings and arming yourself with the right tools to have constructive conversations with loved ones about mental health, you can support a more accurate understanding of mental illness in your household.

The Glorification and Romanticism of Suicide in Pop Culture

When you're a teenager, everything seems like the end of the world. To those with depression and thoughts of suicide, that concept doesn't seem so far off. In fact, suicide is the third leading cause of death for those ages 10-24.

While talking about suicide and depression on television and in the media is not always harmful, inaccurate portrayals of suicide and its aftermath can be incredibly misleading for young people. Research shows that exposure to another person's suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of death, can be a risk factor for youth struggling with mental illness.

Agnes K. Costello, MD, a psychiatrist with Northwestern Medicine, says that programs like Netflix's recent hit 13 Reasons Why that glamorize depression and suicide can be extremely harmful. "While [these types of shows] make for addictive TV, and it does start a discussion about teen suicide, my concern is that this type of show validates, the faulty, fatalistic thinking that mental health professionals try to move teens away from," she explains.

Taking the Stigma Out of Mental Health

Television has the power to act as a portal into the lives of characters that in reality, we may not take the time to get to know. Studies indicate that mass media is one of the public's primary sources of information about certain disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression.

Based on the characters presented in pop culture, it would be easy to believe lots of disparaging myths about people with mental illnesses and how they interact with others, such as the following:

* They're prone to violence: In actuality, mental illness alone doesn't predict violent behavior. Other variables such as age, sex, and level of stress also contribute to outbreaks of aggression.

* They don't seek help: Psychiatrists, therapists, and other mental health professionals are often depicted as cold and unsuccessful in these narratives, propagating the myth that those with mental illness have nowhere to turn. The truth is, with dedicated time and support from a trusted professional, individuals may find the care they need to better manage their mental health . By not showing characters who successfully manage mental health symptoms, we further perpetuate this image of victimhood that perpetuates "giving up" and fatalistic thinking.

* They're overly dramatic: In favor of gut-wrenching drama, too often shows focus on the "dramatic unhappiness of the protagonist", but "fail to discuss exactly what his/her condition is [and therein] miss the opportunity to show effective treatment," observes Dr. Costello. In real life, most people with mental illness live relatively drama-free.

When damaging stereotypes from television are interpreted as reality, they often create unbalanced and dangerous solutions for (particularly youth) managing mental health challenges. While these "revenge fantasy" storylines might make for great television, it's time to change the narrative and promote positive understanding about successfully managing mental illness.

Preparing for the Future

Though depicting mental health in films is a tricky endeavor, some films and TV shows do a much better job than others in discussing illness and suicide without excessive violence or glorifying destructive actions without consequence. To navigate the murky waters of whether a program or film is appropriate or potentially harmful for children, Dr. Costello recommends showing a healthy concern over the viewing material and if possible, co-watching questionable programs with your child and discussing the subject matter openly thereafter.

Knowing your child or teen's emotional developmental level is also especially important for determining appropriate subject matter. Teens with more delayed social processing, or inversely, teens who are overly attuned to pain may struggle with the strong emotions that come with more mature themes or graphic scenes. Be sure to maintain open levels of honest communication with your child, free of judgment or criticism.

Dr. Costello encourages:

Listening closely to your child's response to sensitive mental health subjects

Avoiding offering immediate advice

Asking clarifying questions, and leaving time for reflection

Consulting a professional when needed

It's impossible to be there every time your child experiences violence on television or witnesses stigmatization in mental health, but with the right knowledge, you can equip your child with the empathy and willingness to learn that it takes to navigate through the clutter.

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There's a reason talking about mental health in any setting can be intimidating: it's about the wounds you can't see, and the complex neurological wiring you can't quite understand. So, when depictions of mental illness are finally shown center stage in pop culture, it can be a relief to those who suffer silently knowing they are not alone in their feelings.

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While talking about suicide and depression on television and in the media is not always harmful, inaccurate portrayals of suicide and its aftermath can be incredibly misleading for young people. Research shows that exposure to another person's suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of death, can be a risk factor for youth struggling with mental illness.

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Depictions of Mental Health in Pop Culture

There's a reason talking about mental health in any setting can be intimidating: it's about the wounds you can't see, and the complex neurological wiring you can't quite understand. So, when depictions of mental illness are finally shown center stage in pop culture, it can be a relief to those who suffer silently knowing they are not alone in their feelings.

But the truth is, not all depictions of mental health in the media are healthy. In fact, many TV shows and films have an alarmingly poor grasp on what it really means to have a mental illness and perpetuate harmful stereotypes that feed the stigmas attached to it. However, by understanding these shortcomings and arming yourself with the right tools to have constructive conversations with loved ones about mental health, you can support a more accurate understanding of mental illness in your household.

The Glorification and Romanticism of Suicide in Pop Culture

When you're a teenager, everything seems like the end of the world. To those with depression and thoughts of suicide, that concept doesn't seem so far off. In fact, suicide is the third leading cause of death for those ages 10-24.

While talking about suicide and depression on television and in the media is not always harmful, inaccurate portrayals of suicide and its aftermath can be incredibly misleading for young people. Research shows that exposure to another person's suicide, or to graphic or sensationalized accounts of death, can be a risk factor for youth struggling with mental illness.

Agnes K. Costello, MD, a psychiatrist with Northwestern Medicine, says that programs like Netflix's recent hit 13 Reasons Why that glamorize depression and suicide can be extremely harmful. "While [these types of shows] make for addictive TV, and it does start a discussion about teen suicide, my concern is that this type of show validates, the faulty, fatalistic thinking that mental health professionals try to move teens away from," she explains.

Taking the Stigma Out of Mental Health

Television has the power to act as a portal into the lives of characters that in reality, we may not take the time to get to know. Studies indicate that mass media is one of the public's primary sources of information about certain disorders such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression.

Based on the characters presented in pop culture, it would be easy to believe lots of disparaging myths about people with mental illnesses and how they interact with others, such as the following:

* They're prone to violence: In actuality, mental illness alone doesn't predict violent behavior. Other variables such as age, sex, and level of stress also contribute to outbreaks of aggression.

* They don't seek help: Psychiatrists, therapists, and other mental health professionals are often depicted as cold and unsuccessful in these narratives, propagating the myth that those with mental illness have nowhere to turn. The truth is, with dedicated time and support from a trusted professional, individuals may find the care they need to better manage their mental health . By not showing characters who successfully manage mental health symptoms, we further perpetuate this image of victimhood that perpetuates "giving up" and fatalistic thinking.

* They're overly dramatic: In favor of gut-wrenching drama, too often shows focus on the "dramatic unhappiness of the protagonist", but "fail to discuss exactly what his/her condition is [and therein] miss the opportunity to show effective treatment," observes Dr. Costello. In real life, most people with mental illness live relatively drama-free.

When damaging stereotypes from television are interpreted as reality, they often create unbalanced and dangerous solutions for (particularly youth) managing mental health challenges. While these "revenge fantasy" storylines might make for great television, it's time to change the narrative and promote positive understanding about successfully managing mental illness.

Preparing for the Future

Though depicting mental health in films is a tricky endeavor, some films and TV shows do a much better job than others in discussing illness and suicide without excessive violence or glorifying destructive actions without consequence. To navigate the murky waters of whether a program or film is appropriate or potentially harmful for children, Dr. Costello recommends showing a healthy concern over the viewing material and if possible, co-watching questionable programs with your child and discussing the subject matter openly thereafter.

Knowing your child or teen's emotional developmental level is also especially important for determining appropriate subject matter. Teens with more delayed social processing, or inversely, teens who are overly attuned to pain may struggle with the strong emotions that come with more mature themes or graphic scenes. Be sure to maintain open levels of honest communication with your child, free of judgment or criticism.

Dr. Costello encourages:

Listening closely to your child's response to sensitive mental health subjects

Avoiding offering immediate advice

Asking clarifying questions, and leaving time for reflection

Consulting a professional when needed

It's impossible to be there every time your child experiences violence on television or witnesses stigmatization in mental health, but with the right knowledge, you can equip your child with the empathy and willingness to learn that it takes to navigate through the clutter.

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There's a reason talking about mental health in any setting can be intimidating: it's about the wounds you can't see, and the complex neurological wiring you can't quite understand. So, when depictions of mental illness are finally shown center stage in pop culture, it can be a relief to those who suffer silently knowing they are not alone in their feelings.

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Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.

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Facts & Statistics | Anxiety and Depression

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Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.

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People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.

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People with an anxiety disorder are three to five times more likely to go to the doctor and six times more likely to be hospitalized for psychiatric disorders than those who do not suffer from anxiety disorders.

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Anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.

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Anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.

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It's not uncommon for someone with an anxiety disorder to also suffer from depression or vice versa. Nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

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It's not uncommon for someone with an anxiety disorder to also suffer from depression or vice versa. Nearly one-half of those diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder.

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Facts & Statistics | Anxiety and Depression

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The leading cause of disability in the U.S. for ages 15 to 44.3.
MDD affects more than 16.1 million American adults, or about 6.7%of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year.
While major depressive disorder can develop at any age, the median age at onset is 32.5 years old.
More prevalent in women than in men.

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Persistent depressive disorder, or PDD, 

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Persistent depressive disorder, or PDD, 

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(formerly called dysthymia) is a form of depression that usually continues for at least two years.
Affects approximately 1.5 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. (about 3.3 million American adults). Only 61.7% of adults with MDD are receiving treatment. The average age of onset is 31 years old.

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Anxiety disorders affect 25.1% of children between 13 and 18 years old. Research shows that untreated children with anxiety disorders are at higher risk to perform poorly in school, miss out on important social experiences, and engage in substance abuse.

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Young people report that there might be good reason to worry. A survey conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health asked 14-24 year olds in the UK how social media platforms impacted their health and wellbeing. The survey results found that Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram all led to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image and loneliness.

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Many parents worry about how exposure to technology might affect toddlers developmentally. We know our preschoolers are picking up new social and cognitive skills at a stunning pace, and we don't want hours spent glued to an iPad to impede that. But adolescence is an equally important period of rapid development, and too few of us are paying attention to how our teenagers' use of technology - much more intense and intimate than a 3-year-old playing with dad's iPhone - is affecting them. In fact, experts worry that the social media and text messages that have become so integral to teenage life are promoting anxiety and lowering self-esteem.

Young people report that there might be good reason to worry. A survey conducted by the Royal Society for Public Health asked 14-24-year-olds in the UK how social media platforms impacted their health and well-being. The survey results found that Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram all led to increased feelings of depression, anxiety, poor body image, and loneliness.

Indirect communication

Teens are masters at keeping themselves occupied in the hours after school until way past bedtime. When they're not doing their homework (and when they are) they're online and on their phones, texting, sharing, trolling, scrolling, you name it. Of course before everyone had an Instagram account teens kept themselves busy, too, but they were more likely to do their chatting on the phone, or in person when hanging out at the mall. It may have looked like a lot of aimless hanging around, but what they were doing was experimenting, trying out skills, and succeeding and failing in tons of tiny real-time interactions that kids today are missing out on. For one thing, modern teens are learning to do most of their communication while looking at a screen, not another person.

"As a species we are very highly attuned to reading social cues," says Catherine Steiner-Adair, EdD, a clinical psychologist and author of The Big Disconnect. "There's no question kids are missing out on very critical social skills. In a way, texting and online communicating puts everybody in a context where body language, facial expression, and even the smallest kinds of vocal reactions are rendered invisible."

Lowering the risks

Certainly speaking indirectly creates a barrier to clear communication, but that's not all. Learning how to make friends is a major part of growing up, and friendship requires a certain amount of risk-taking. This is true for making a new friend, but it's also true for maintaining friendships. When there are problems that need to be faced - big ones or small ones - it takes courage to be honest about your feelings and then hear what the other person has to say. Learning to effectively cross these bridges is part of what makes friendship fun and exciting, and also scary. "Part of healthy self-esteem is knowing how to say what you think and feel even when you're in disagreement with other people or it feels emotionally risky," notes Dr. Steiner-Adair.

But when friendship is conducted online and through texts, kids are doing this in a context stripped of many of the most personal - and sometimes intimidating - aspects of communication. It's easier to keep your guard up when you're texting, so less is at stake. You aren't hearing or seeing the effect that your words are having on the other person. Because the conversation isn't happening in real time, each party can take more time to consider a response. No wonder kids say calling someone on the phone is "too intense"- it requires more direct communication, and if you aren't used to that it may well feel scary.

If kids aren't getting enough practice relating to people and getting their needs met in person and in real time, many of them will grow up to be adults who are anxious about our species' primary means of communication - talking. And of course social negotiations only get riskier as people get older and begin navigating romantic relationships and employment.

Cyberbullying and the imposter syndrome

The other big danger that comes from kids communicating more indirectly is that it has gotten easier to be cruel. "Kids text all sorts of things that you would never in a million years contemplate saying to anyone's face," says Donna Wick, EdD, a clinical and developmental psychologist. She notes that this seems to be especially true of girls, who typically don't like to disagree with each other in "real life."

"You hope to teach them that they can disagree without jeopardizing the relationship, but what social media is teaching them to do is disagree in ways that are more extreme and do jeopardize the relationship. It's exactly what you don't want to have happen," she says.

Dr. Steiner-Adair agrees that girls are particularly at risk. "Girls are socialized more to compare themselves to other people, girls in particular, to develop their identities, so it makes them more vulnerable to the downside of all this." She warns that a lack of solid self-esteem is often to blame. "We forget that relational aggression comes from insecurity and feeling awful about yourself, and wanting to put other people down so you feel better."

Peer acceptance is a big thing for adolescents, and many of them care about their image as much as a politician running for office, and to them it can feel as serious. Add to that the fact that kids today are getting actual polling data on how much people like them or their appearance via things like "likes." It's enough to turn anyone's head. Who wouldn't want to make themselves look cooler if they could? So kids can spend hours pruning their online identities, trying to project an idealized image. Teenage girls sort through hundreds of photos, agonizing over which ones to post online. Boys compete for attention by trying to out-gross one other, pushing the envelope as much as they can in the already disinhibited atmosphere online. Kids gang up on each other.

Adolescents have always been doing this, but with the advent of social media they are faced with more opportunities - and more traps - than ever before. When kids scroll through their feeds and see how great everyone seems, it only adds to the pressure. We're used to worrying about the impractical ideals that photoshopped magazine models give to our kids, but what happens with the kid next door is photoshopped, too? Even more confusing, what about when your own profile doesn't really represent the person that you feel like you are on the inside?

"Adolescence and the early twenties in particular are the years in which you are acutely aware of the contrasts between who you appear to be and who you think you are," says Dr. Wick. "It's similar to the 'imposter syndrome' in psychology. As you get older and acquire more mastery, you begin to realize that you actually are good at some things, and then you feel that gap hopefully narrow. But imagine having your deepest darkest fear be that you aren't as good as you look, and then imagine needing to look that good all the time! It's exhausting."

As Dr. Steiner-Adair explains, "Self-esteem comes from consolidating who you are." The more identities you have, and the more time you spend pretending to be someone you aren't, the harder it's going to be to feel good about yourself.

Stalking (and being ignored)

Another big change that has come with new technology and especially smart phones is that we are never really alone. Kids update their status, share what they're watching, listening to, and reading, and have apps that let their friends know their specific location on a map at all times. Even if a person isn't trying to keep his friends updated, he's still never out of reach of a text message. The result is that kids feel hyperconnected with each other. The conversation never needs to stop, and it feels like there's always something new happening.

"Whatever we think of the 'relationships' maintained and in some cases initiated on social media, kids never get a break from them," notes Dr. Wick. "And that, in and of itself, can produce anxiety. Everyone needs a respite from the demands of intimacy and connection; time alone to regroup, replenish and just chill out. When you don't have that, it's easy to become emotionally depleted, fertile ground for anxiety to breed."

It's also surprisingly easy to feel lonely in the middle of all that hyperconnection. For one thing, kids now know with depressing certainty when they're being ignored. We all have phones and we all respond to things pretty quickly, so when you're waiting for a response that doesn't come, the silence can be deafening. The silent treatment might be a strategic insult or just the unfortunate side effect of an online adolescent relationship that starts out intensely but then fades away.

"In the old days when a boy was going to break up with you, he had to have a conversation with you. Or at least he had to call," says Dr. Wick. "These days he might just disappear from your screen, and you never get to have the 'What did I do?' conversation." Kids are often left imagining the worst about themselves.

But even when the conversation doesn't end, being in a constant state of waiting can still provoke anxiety. We can feel ourselves being put on the back burner, we put others back there, and our very human need to communicate is effectively delegated there, too.

What should parents do?

Both experts interviewed for this article agreed that the best thing parents can do to minimize the risks associated with technology is to curtail their own consumption first. It's up to parents to set a good example of what healthy device usage looks like. Most of us check our phones or our email too much, out of either real interest or nervous habit. Kids should be used to seeing our faces, not our heads bent over a screen. Establish technology-free zones in the house and technology-free hours when no one uses the phone, including mom and dad. "Don't walk in the door after work in the middle of a conversation," Dr. Steiner-Adair advises. "Don't walk in the door after work, say 'hi' quickly, and then 'just check your email.' In the morning, get up a half hour earlier than your kids and check your email then. Give them your full attention until they're out the door. And neither of you should be using phones in the car to or from school because that's an important time to talk."

Not only does limiting the amount of time you spend plugged in to computers provide a healthy counterpoint to the tech-obsessed world, it also strengthens the parent-child bond and makes kids feel more secure. Kids need to know that you are available to help them with their problems, talk about their day, or give them a reality check.

"It is the mini-moments of disconnection, when parents are too focused on their own devices and screens, that dilute the parent-child relationship," Dr. Steiner-Adair warns. And when kids start turning to the internet for help or to process whatever happened during the day, you might not like what happens. "Tech can give your children more information that you can, and it doesn't have your values," notes Dr. Steiner-Adair. "It won't be sensitive to your child's personality, and it won't answer his question in a developmentally appropriate way."

In addition Dr. Wick advises delaying the age of first use as much as possible. "I use the same advice here that I use when talking about kids and alcohol - try to get as far as you can without anything at all." If your child is on a social media platform, Dr. Wick says that you should friend them and monitor their page. But she advises against going through text messages unless there is cause for concern. "If you have a reason to be worried then okay, but it better be a good reason. I see parents who are just plain old spying on their kids. Parents should begin by trusting their children. To not even give your kid the benefit of the doubt is incredibly damaging to the relationship. You have to feel like your parents think you're a good kid."

Offline, the gold standard advice for helping kids build healthy self-esteem is to get them involved in something that they're interested in. It could be sports or music or taking apart computers or volunteering - anything that sparks an interest and gives them confidence. When kids learn to feel good about what they can do instead of how they look and what they own, they're happier and better prepared for success in real life. That most of these activities also involve spending time interacting with peers face-to-face is just the icing on the cake.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does social media affect behavior negatively?

How does social media affect social skills?

How does social media affect teenagers' mental health?

Is social media harmful?

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How Using Social Media Affects Teenagers - Child Mind Institute

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How does social media affect teens? Experts say kids are growing up with more anxiety and less self-esteem due to social media. Read advice for parents from specialists in our article.

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Nationally, only 40 percent of students with emotional, behavioral and mental health disorders graduate from high school, compared to the national average of 76 percent; 3 and, Over 50% of students with emotional and behavioral disabilities ages 14 and older, drop out of high school.

So, the answer to the question is obviously no. Schools are not preparing students well enough for handling the problems that stem from mental health.

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Problems at School | Association for Children’s Mental Health

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Learn how to navigate problems at school