Teen Mental Health | Facts & Stats

About 16 percent of children from 10-19 years old have a mental health disorder, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety, and major depression are the most common mental health conditions in teenagers.

Many Ohio adolescents with mental health problems do not get proper mental health care. Unmet adolescent mental health needs can increase the risk of poor school performance, physical health problems, and poor relationships with others.

Mental health concerns for your children should be taken seriously. Seeking therapy or a mental health treatment program for your child can help them cope with their mental health in the long term.

Teen Mental Health Statistics: At A Glance

Teen mental health problems can cause problems at school and in your child’s personal life.

About 36 percent of all adolescents in the 12-17 age group reported ongoing feelings of sadness in the past year. Persistent feelings of sadness may be a sign of a serious mental health problem, such as a major depressive disorder or ADHD.

Among teenagers, different groups may suffer from different conditions more often. For example, adolescent girls may be more than twice as likely to have an eating disorder compared to adolescent boys.

Major Depression & Anxiety Disorders In Teens

Major depression is one of the most common mental health disorders in teenagers. In 2021, about 20 percent of Ohio adolescents had a major depressive episode in the past year. Worldwide, about 75 percent of children with depression have co-occurring anxiety.

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, high school students with depression were twice as likely to drop out of high school than their peers without depression.

More than half of all Ohio adolescents with depression did not receive any treatment in the past year. If your teen is struggling with depression or anxiety, a mental health professional can help.

ADHD In Teens

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is a common mental health disorder in young people. About 9 percent of all children and adolescents develop ADHD in their lifetime.

Thousands of Ohio children and teenagers may struggle with ADHD’s side effects every year. Even more may not be diagnosed with ADHD, which can hurt their overall well-being.

ADHD symptoms in children and teenagers may include behavior problems, hyperactivity, and a short attention span. ADHD can be managed with behavioral health services and medication.

Bipolar Disorder In Teens

About 3 percent of teenagers have bipolar disorder. In Ohio, bipolar disorder affects hundreds of teenagers every year.

Bipolar disorder can cause serious impairment. Your child may have trouble functioning during a manic or depressive episode. Bipolar disorder may require behavioral therapy, medication, or both.

Other Mental Health Issues In Teens

About 3 percent of teenagers worldwide have an eating disorder. Less than 0.5 percent of teenagers have schizophrenia. While these mental health conditions have lower prevalence rates than other issues, they can be serious if left untreated.

Less than 5 percent of American children aged 12-17 years old had a substance use disorder, while less than 2 percent had an alcohol use disorder. Teenagers in Ohio may abuse alcohol and drugs at similar rates.

LGBTQ+ teenagers may also be more likely to suffer from substance abuse and serious mental health challenges. Serious mental health conditions may require professional support and care.

Teen Mental Health Treatment

While youth mental health is a serious issue, a significant percentage of Ohio teenagers may not look for mental health services.

Mental health professionals can teach your child how to manage and improve their mental health. Evidence-based mental health treatment in Ohio may provide behavioral therapy, suicide prevention, social support, and other services.

For personalized mental health care in Ohio, contact Ohio Recovery Center today. We can assess your child’s needs and implement a personalized treatment program that suits them.