Teen Mental Health: Warning Signs and Where to Get Help

Normal stress, and when it's more

Being a teenager is hard. There's pressure to be liked, to do well at school, to get along with family and to make big decisions. Most of that can't be avoided, and worrying about it is normal.

But feeling very sad, hopeless or worthless can be a warning sign of a mental health problem. These problems are real, painful and sometimes severe.

Signs you might need help

Besides those feelings, watch for times when you:

• often feel very angry or very worried;
• feel grief for a long time after a loss or death;
• feel your mind is controlled or out of control;
• use alcohol or drugs;
• exercise, diet or binge-eat obsessively;
• hurt other people or destroy property;
• do reckless things that could hurt you or others;
• feel depressed — sad and hopeless.

Getting help

Mental health problems can be treated. Talk to a parent, your school counselor or your health care provider.

Sources

Based on "Teen Mental Health," MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine; a work of the United States government in the public domain.