Adolescent Mental Health

Melinda
October 14, 2025

Moving through the turbulent transition from childhood to adulthood can be torture. The pressures and problems experienced can quickly and easily become overwhelming. For many, these physical, emotional, hormonal, sexual, social and intellectual changes can lead to mental health disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, about 13% of US children (ages 8 to 15) are diagnosed with a mental disorder each year.

Your emotional and mental health as a teenager and adolescent has a lasting impact on your future life, family and community. Which makes it essential to care for your emotional and mental wellbeing and receive necessary help. In the book of Philippians, we’re reminded of the importance to guard our heart and mind for Jesus, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7)

Mental Health Disorders

There are a variety of Mental Disorders that could cause excessive struggles which include any of the following:

Anxiety Disorders
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Bipolar Disorder
Borderline Personality Disorder
Depression
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Eating Disorders
Loneliness
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Psychosis
Schizophrenia
Substance Use
Suicide Prevention
Traumatic Events

Out of these mental health issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, loneliness, eating disorders, substance use and suicide are among the top in teenagers.

image of a journal, water bottle, makeup bag and more

Symptoms of Adolescent Mental Health Disorders

Many of the signs and symptoms of Mental Disorders are common behavioral trends of teenagers, so if you (or someone you know) are experiencing symptoms associated with a Mental Illness for more than a few weeks, then you may be struggling with a Mental Disorder. The signs and symptoms of a Mental Health Disorder also interfere with your daily life at home and school. Here’s a concise list of signs and symptoms that can be used as a reference:

Excessive sleeping or seem sleepy throughout the day (beyond usual teenage fatigue), difficulty in sleeping (such as insomnia) and other sleep disorders
Loss of self-esteem
Loss of interest in favorite activities and hobbies that used to bring joy
Low energy
Have periods of highly elevated energy and activity, and require much less sleep than usual
Unexpected and dramatic decline in academic performance
Weight loss and loss of appetite or excessive eating and weight gain
Excess exercise or total lack of caring for body
Personality shifts and changes that are incredibly out of character
Withdrawal from people you love and care about, spending more time alone

Engage in self-harm behaviors (such as cutting or burning skin)
Engage in risky or destructive behavior alone or with friends
Use of substances (such as tobacco, canibus, alcohol or other drugs) to ease pain and emotional struggles
Have thoughts of suicide
Sense that someone is trying to control your mind or you hear things that other people cannot hear

Get Help

So now that you’ve read through the list of symptoms, perhaps you’re seeing that you have some in your own life. God doesn’t want you to face a Mental Illness alone. It’s important to reach out for help. These emotions and experiences are treatable and often temporary. It’s estimated that 20% of people with a Mental Disorder go without treatment.

It’s easy to let a Mental Illness or Disorder influence your daily life and prevent you from seeking the help you need. You may not even realize it’s impact on your life. But scripture says that God can transform your mind, so you must trust that He will do so, which means you need to seek help. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2) Don’t let your mental health consume you, reach out for help and support so you can embrace God’s perfect, pleasing and good will for your life.

Talk to people you love (especially your parents) about what you’re feeling and how you’re struggling.
Seek professional help. The best place to start is your Pediatrician or Primary Care Physician. If you don’t have a primary care provider, then connect with your school counselor.

Your doctor or counselor may prescribe therapy, medication or a combination of both. Here’s some helpful tips on how to prepare for your initial appointment.

Write down a series of questions, topics or concerns that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider.
Have a list of any medications (including over-the-counter or nonprescription), herbal remedies, vitamins and supplements you take.
Certain mental illnesses tend to run in the family, so take note of your family history.
Keep track of symptoms, when they occur and their severity. Also, make a note about stressors or life changes you’re currently facing because these can impact your mental and emotional wellbeing.
Bring a close friend or relative to the appointment with you. Sometimes initial appointments can be overwhelming because you receive a lot of information in very little time. A friend or family member can be a helpful support, take notes, ask questions and help you remember what your healthcare provider said.
Be honest with yourself and your healthcare provider. They can only give you proper treatment if you’re being clear and honest. Anything you say to them is confidential and cannot be shared with anyone without your expressed consent.
Seek clarity in your treatment. Make sure you understand the path that you need to take to overcome your disorder. If you don’t understand or disagree with your treatment options, be upfront. Treatment for mental illness isn’t “one-size-fits-all.” You need to be comfortable with your treatment plan. Be aware that your treatment may change overtime.

Finding the Right Therapist

If you’re encouraged to do therapy, deciding on the right therapist can be a difficult process. It’s essential to find someone that you trust, honor and respect. Here’s a list of potential questions to consider asking during your initial meeting:

What experience do you have treating someone with my issue?
What experience do you have treating teenagers?
How do you usually treat someone with my issue?
How long do you expect treatment to last?
Do you accept my insurance?
What are your fees?

It’s also important that your therapist is a Christian. Studies show that a religious foundation helps overcome mental illness, so having a Biblical approach in therapy is essential to your improvement. If you ever feel like the treatment isn’t helping, you need to be upfront with your therapist and doctor. Do not stop current treatment without talking to your doctor.

Healthy Mental Health

Your doctor or therapy provider might recommend some of the following to maintain general mental health:

Connect with friends and loved ones regularly. Social-emotional health and safety is crucial to your overall mental stability. Surround yourself with nurturing and loving relationships.
Focus on the future. You won’t always be overwhelmed by the emotions and struggles you’re currently facing. Having the right treatment, medication and/or resources will help you maintain a healthy mental state. Even if life seems hopeless now, there’s hope for the future. Jesus gives us hope to sustain through the deepest and darkest struggles in life. Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Slow down and think through what you’re doing. It’s okay to take a break, pray, meditate, rest, relax and veg-out for a while. Your brain is processing a lot of information, and unfortunately, the teenage brain can act very slow. Take a break and let your brain process. It’s okay to stay away from change or new situations, and it’s especially important to avoid potentially risky situations.
Take care of your body: eat healthy, get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated and exercise.
Rely on God. Isaiah 26:3 says God will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in Him. You will find peace when you focus on and persue the Lord.
It may be helpful to save a few important numbers in your cell phone so you have immediate access when you’re really feeling the weight of your Mental Disorder:
- Trusted friend or relative
- Youth director or pastor
- Non-emergency number for your local police department
- Crisis Text Line: 741741
- The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Causes of Mental Disorders

Most Mental Disorders are caused by a combination of multiple genetic and environmental factors. This is called multifactorial inheritance. Unfortunately, no genetic testing can confirm the diagnosis of Mental Disorders because experiences and environment play a significant role in the development.

Let’s look at some environmental factors that contribute to the development of Mental Disorders:

Trauma: Sexual, physical and emotional abuse during childhood increase the likelihood of developing a mental disorder. Highly stressful home environments, loss of a loved one and natural disasters are also major contributors.
Emotional harm: Negative school experiences and bullying can also influence the likelihood of developing a mental disorder.
Substance Abuse: Use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs has been associated with the development of mental disorders, as well as exposure to these substances as a child or prenatally.

Remember environmental factors aren’t the sole cause of mental disorders, genetics play a role in developing a Mental Disorder as well. There isn’t just one gene that causes certain Mental Disorders. It’s a combination of genes as well as environmental factors. Some genes also affect how we react to our environment. These genes can turn “on” or “off,” therefore there must be the right combination of environmental factors as well as genetic regulation for a Mental Disorder to develop.

Romans 8:5-6 says, “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Ask the Spirit to guide your mind so you can live in peace. Your Mental Illness doesn’t need to dominate your life and drain your mind. Through Jesus, you have the strength and power to overcome and find life!