Becoming aware of mental health and effective treatment needs to be an ongoing discussion in our homes and communities, according to the World Federation of Mental Health. To raise awareness about mental health, the organization established World Mental Health Day in 1992. Since then, mental health has been celebrated worldwide on October 10, with participants advocating for an end to social stigmas and mental health education. At Destinations for Teens, we are always raising awareness of teen mental health treatment to help young adults live confidently.
Why Is Teen Mental Health So Important?
Your teen’s development is a unique period in their lives. Between the ages of 10 and 19, adolescents will experience physical changes in their bodies. Their ability to acknowledge and identify themselves will impact their psychological and social understanding. When teens are exposed to trauma such as abuse or violence are even more vulnerable to experiencing mental health problems. According to the World Mental Health Organization, one in six adolescents between the ages of 10 and 19 are impacted by mental health conditions. Depression and anxiety are the leading causes of illness among teenagers–worldwide. And that’s not all. Here are some more reasons teen mental health should not be ignored:
- Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death in adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19.
- Mental health conditions often begin at 14 years old but often go undetected or treated.
When we promote mental health wellness and work diligently to support teens in learning how to avoid risky behaviors such as alcohol and drug use, we are helping them develop into adulthood in meaningful ways. Destinations for Teens’ mental health treatment programs focus on individual and group counseling. Family counseling is also available to support our teens as they learn to navigate their mental health conditions.
How Can Mental Health Treatment Help Teens Live Better Lives?
If your teen is experiencing depression, anxiety, or trauma, mental health treatment will help them learn how to identify and advocate for themselves effectively. Interventions help teens:
- Become aware of their emotions
- Control their behavior
- Identify ways to avoid risky behaviors such as drug and alcohol use.
- Develop resilience when dealing with difficult situations
- Gain support from medical and mental health professionals
- Find peer support in socially positive environments
At Destinations for Teens, our outpatient and inpatient residential treatment programs support teens experiencing depression, anxiety, and trauma.
How Can We Celebrate World Mental Health Day?
As adults, it is our responsibility to support our teens in their development. By using a day such as World Mental Health Day as a moment to begin building awareness in our communities and advocating for our teens’ lives, we will be showing them how to proudly share their experiences with others. Here are some ways that we can begin to advocate and bring awareness to mental health:
- Host a fundraiser for your local mental health organization
- Volunteer for a mental health organization
- Speak with your friends and family about the importance of acknowledging the need for mental health treatment
- Acknowledge your own mental health and check in with a mental health professional
Destination for Teens: Support for Adolescent Mental Health Treatment
Participating in World Mental Health Day is just the start of raising awareness on anxiety, depression, and trauma issues. Destinations for Teens provides comprehensive options to support teen mental health treatment. We support teen mental health by offering the following services:
- Depression treatment
- Trauma treatment
- Anxiety treatment
- Dual diagnosis treatment
Our mental health treatment programs are inclusive and meet LGBTQ+ adolescents who need additional support to meet their unique needs. Your teen’s mental health is critical to their growth and development. Contact Destinations for Teens 877.466.0620 to learn more about our teen mental health treatment options.