We all know the importance of good mental health. When you feel low or stressed, not only do you feel unhappy but you’re more likely to make poor decisions and generally let life pass you by. If you have teens, it’s crucial to keep an eye on their mental health as it’s a time in life where issues can start to present themselves. Here are some of the reasons why good mental health is particularly important in teenagers.

Affects confidence and self esteem

Confidence and self esteem is so important. We need a strong belief in ourselves and our abilities to be able to put ourselves forward to try new things, take on new opportunities and therefore learn in the process. Low confidence and self esteem can hold us back in so many ways, and during the teenage years this is particularly problematic. This is because it’s a time in life where people need to try new things to discover who they are and what they like. It's a huge learning process while getting ready for adulthood. Without the confidence to get out there and discover, teens can enter the big wide world without having the preparation they need. Teens need to be able to make mistakes in order to learn from them, and without confidence to get out there and try in the first place then this simply won't happen.

Can affect behaviour

Poor mental health can negatively impact behaviour in teens, who will have very few coping mechanisms for dealing with their emotions. Feeling low, anxious or out of control can lead to aggression, underage sexual activity or abusing drugs or alcohol amongst other things. If you have already noticed this kind of behaviour from your teen and are struggling to cope or don't know what to do, know that there are facilities out there that can help. Look at Eva Carlston Academy reviews for example, this company uses music and art therapy and puts an emphasis on academics in order to improve behaviour. If your case is more severe then getting your teen the right help early on will most likely lead to better outcomes. In less serious cases, there's plenty you can do at home. Teach teens how to recognise and label their emotions, and know what to do when these feelings present themselves. Exercise, meditation, hot baths, chats with a loved one and mindfulness techniques are all examples. Having a hobby from home that helps them to de-stress that they can pick up when they’re not feeling their best can be really helpful too. This shows them that it’s ok to feel their emotions and for the most part, they will come and go. It’s understanding how they can make themselves feel better when they’re going through a rough patch.

Makes teens more likely to give into peer pressure

Teens with good self confidence and good mental health are more likely to be able to stand up to what they believe in, say ‘no’ when presented with things they don’t want to do and feel more confident asking for adult help when the situations arise. This means they’re less likely to give into peer pressure and potentially be led down the wrong path.

What steps do you take to ensure your teen remains happy and healthy?

The Importance of Maintaining Good Mental Health in Teens