Nowadays, a lot of attention is being paid to the mental health of teens and preteens. Much more than over a decade ago. Mental disorders such as ADHD, bipolar disorder, schizo, etc. are being diagnosed much earlier, and teens are receiving counseling. Less than 20 years ago, however, teen problems were not paid much mind due to the notion that the problems were only caused by "hormones." So what happened? Why the sudden awareness?
One word:
Columbine.
The Columbine Massacre in 1999 totally changed the game. Sad that people actually had to die in order for the change to take place, but it happened. Yet, all the work seems to be in vain, as school shootings and other similar teen acts of violence have actually INCREASED since Columbine.
So, this brings up my question: What is your opinion on the new point of view of teen mental health? Is it just what we need, or is it only causing more problems?
Mental health in teens is extremely important. Considering the teenager brain isn't fully developed and "solid" neuron pathways in the brain are just starting to form, mental health has a massive impact on the fully developed brain. I developed depression, stress and anxiety as a teenager and didn't seek help until I was almost 20. Now it seems more difficult to me to "unlearn" or learn new logic pathways to treat my depression as my brain is developing with these conditions.
From what I've read, 20 years ago mental disorders were as prevalent then as they are today. Don't quote me on that since I can't find the source at the moment. Only today is drastically different than it was 20-30 years ago. World population has increased massively, technology has become synonymous with everyday living, work, study and social life. Tastes and standards have changed and our parents developed in this different period. The last few decades has been the fastest periods of change in human history. Naturally, keeping up with these changes is stressful and I believe constitutes to the development of many mental disorders.
Hormones however are the worst group of chemicals to ever exist. Since most of the hormones regulating teenage growth and development are synthesised in the pituitary gland under the brain they have way too much of a say when it comes to decisions and mood. Some individuals are better at coping with hormonal changes for many different factors such as the amount of hormone affecting the body, (even though it takes only a small amount of hormones to create an affect, that's basically what hormones do) their current mental health and their overall context (including how they were raised and genetics for example.) As I said before, the teenage brain is just starting to develop logic pathways; therefore everyones brain is different in how it controls the body, and even the same hormone can have slightly different effects on the brain from individual to individual.
Long story short, there are so many factors to consider when it comes to teenage mental health. Considering that some of these factors are attributed to everyday life there's no avoiding them, they will have an affect. Wether or not it's a detrimental outcome, they need to be considered all the same.
I like to think that the people who do the school shootings are just insane. But there was that one guy who stopped when one of the staff convinced him to stop in.. I think it was Nevada?
But yeah at least the people are trying but I guess teens feel the need to do what they're told not to. Some more intensely than others. I know I do it with small things a lot. Cause I don't wanna get in trouble.
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