My name is Amel Abdulrezak; I am a 16-year-old high school student. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted a job that allows me to help others. Recently, I have narrowed it down to psychology. I was and am being raised in an immigrant household where therapy is viewed as unnecessary and a waste of time and money. This anti-therapy environment has allowed me to see problems that could be resolved if therapy were accepted within my family. Seeing firsthand how important mental health support can be is what ultimately led me to pursue this co-op opportunity. As a teenager myself, I want to take this opportunity to share my thoughts and observations about teen mental health.
Teenagers are often associated with being laid back and carefree, but the internal battles many quietly face are often overlooked. When someone begins therapy at a young age, they have the benefits of working through issues as they arise and developing skills that will carry them through life. Early mental health support is crucial because it shapes how teens handle stress, make decisions, and develop lifelong coping skills. Receiving guidance during this formative period sets a strong foundation for well-being into adulthood. Without support, teens miss out on valuable tools that make life easier and more manageable.
The Hidden Pressures Teens Are Carrying Today
Teens experience significant, yet often hidden, pressures such as academic demands and high expectations from parents, teachers and society. These can lead to stress and uncertainty about future goals, highlighting the need for strong mental health support. Social media is also a significant factor contributing to stress for teens. Offering endless opportunities to compare oneself to unrealistic ideals. As a result, these ideals can give rise to insecurities because they cannot be fully met.
Building Healthy Relationships and Social Connection
Being able to build healthy relationships is a crucial skill to develop during this age group, as it is during these years that a foundation is formed. A good way to establish this foundation is through therapy. Therapy can help individuals understand how their past experiences shape their relationships with others. As well as teach important skills, such as effective communication, conflict resolution, and building trust.
Mental Health's Impact on Academic and Career Success
Another important reason that this age group should regulate their mental health with therapy is that mental health and academic success are intertwined. During these years, many teens are facing important educational milestones that shape their future opportunities. When their mental health is not stable, it can become difficult to focus, stay motivated, and perform well in school. Stress, anxiety, and self-doubt can lower productivity, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming. Therapy can offer coping strategies that enhance concentration, improve time management, and promote emotional balance and emotional regulation.
Healing/Trauma
People often assume that teens are too young to have experienced trauma, but that is, in fact, not true. Since this is overlooked, unhealthy coping mechanisms can form. Below is a list of what they can look like:
- Self-harm or substance use
- Risky or impulsive behaviour
- Difficulty trusting others
- Declining school performance
- Wearing oversized clothing to hide the body
There are more severe trauma responses, but there are some that are easily unnoticed to the untrained eye, for example, being closed off. Loved ones not being able to recognize these signs is not a sign of failure; it simply highlights how complex trauma responses are. That is why therapy is crucial, because therapists are trained to notice.
How I Take Care of My Mental Health
The ways I like to manage my own mental health are by doing activities that help me maintain a positive mindset. This can look like self-reflection with music, which allows me to process my thoughts in a calm environment. Exercise also helps, as I have come to the realization that moving my body distracts my mind and breaks cycles of overthinking. A third way is by spending time with friends; talking things out with them lets me organize my thoughts and get a better understanding of my emotions.
