Mental Health Matters

Teen Mental Wellness: Help Reduce Stigma and Support Youth Mental Health

August 25, 2023
Back to school. Multiracial pupils of primary school are ready to study. Children in class room with teacher

Mental health can start at any age, and it affects more youth than you may think.

More than 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24.

World Teen Mental Wellness Day, which is observed on March 2, is a day dedicated to helping raise awareness about the mental health issues that teenagers can face – it’s also a call to action to lend an ear, be a shoulder to lean on, and to break the stigma surrounding mental health, so teens know they are not alone on this journey.

As school is in session, kids are out of the house and in the classroom all day, making it important to pay extra close attention to any changes in their behavior and check in on their mental well-being when they are around.

Things you can say to open or continue the conversation:

  • How are you feeling?
  • What is on your mind?
  • I am here to listen What can I do to help you?
  • I am always here for you

1 in 6 U.S. youth ages 6-17 experiences a mental health disorder each year. According to the latest data from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 87,000 Arizona youth ages 12-17 had depression in 2021. If your child is experiencing a mental health condition, they are not alone.

But the reality is they may feel alone – leading them to stay silent. Of the 87,000 who reported having depression that year, nearly 60% did not get any professional help to address it. One of the reasons adolescents don’t seek care is because of stigma and fear others will find out.

Help eliminate the sting of stigma by:

  • Sharing the statistics: Mental health conditions can happen to anyone. The earlier people get help, the more likely recovery can happen.
  • Silencing the shame: Whatever the diagnosis, it’s important to remember that a mental illness is a medical condition. Just as anyone would consult a doctor to treat a broken bone, they should do the same with a mental health concern.
  • Recognizing the strength in speaking up: Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Seeking help when needed is something to be proud of!

Please visit our AZ Blue Behavioral Health website to learn more ways you can help reduce stigma.