March 2 was Teen Mental Health Day. Now seems like a perfect time to debunk myths surrounding teen depression. Teens face depression and they deserve support and care. Often, they do not get the care and support they need. Some causes for this include shame and stigma, not recognizing the signs of depression, fear of parents’ reaction, limited access to care, confidentiality concerns, the depression itself, cultural and identity factors, and past negative experiences. These are important issues that need to be addressed. Embedded in some of these issues are the myths that surround teenage depression. Today I would like to look at some of those myths.
One myth is that teen depression is just hormones, and they will grow out of it. All teens go through some mood changes, but those can be minor. When mood changes are persistent, it is not just hormones or a phase. Indicators of depression or other mental illness in teens include persistent sadness, anxiety, withdrawal, or behavior changes. Mental health research confirms that mental health challenges are common in teens. Teens can be depressed. Teens can be anxious. These are health issues, not just hormones.
Another myth is that “teens just want attention”. When teens are exhibiting distress or self-harm thoughts, it is indication that they need support. They should not be dismissed as seeking attention. Sometimes the behavior can seem dramatic. Even in these instances it should not be dismissed. The underlying emotions are real and need attention from mental health professionals.
Here is a myth that I find aggravating. “Good kids don’t get mental health problems.” This is an asinine belief. Having mental illness is not about whether we are a good person or bad person. Depression and other mental illnesses affect kids across backgrounds and interests. It can affect athletes, high achievers, quiet kids, theater kids, musicians, popular teens, the teen that sits by themself, the class clown, or the teen that is always getting in trouble. Depression can affect any teen. Mental illness does not differentiate. It can affect teens of all races. Stress, trauma, genetics, and brain chemistry can affect anyone. Teens included. Having depression or other mental illness does not make you a bad kid.
I would like to raise an issue I have with the school system and mental health here. I am a special education teacher. I am used to seeing children and teens labeled. It is part of the paperwork and the placements. There is one label or type of disability that has always bothered me. Children and teens with mental illnesses or behavior disorders are often labeled emotionally disturbed. I hate that term. Disturbed has such a negative connotation. These kids are not disturbed. They have an illness that affects their emotions and behavior. Calling them disturbed is an insult. It perpetuates stigma and the myth that good kids do not get mental illness. I am an adult with mental illness. I am not referred to as emotionally disturbed by my health care providers, mental or physical. I do not believe we should be using this label on children and teens.
Another myth surrounding teen mental health is that talking about suicide puts ideas in their heads. There is research that shows that asking directly about suicidal thoughts does not increase risk. It actually opens the doors to conversations that can allow the teen to receive the help they need. Talking openly about suicide reduces isolation and encourages teens to seek and accept help.
I would like to share a personal experience related to this. I was a teen decades ago, but I still remember being chastised for having suicidal thoughts. I distinctly remember a counselor threatening me because I had expressed thoughts about wanting to take my life. There was no support. Rather, I was made to feel like I was a bad person. Not being able to talk about my suicidal thoughts caused me to shut down. The thoughts did not go away. Hurting myself did not stop. A lot of has changed since then. A counselor would not treat a teen like that today. We know that talking openly with teens allows them to receive the support and help they need. We know that openness leads to dialogue, which leads to treatment.
Another myth is that therapy is only for serious cases. Therapy can help teens at all levels of need. It can help with everyday stress, identity questions, relationship issues, peer pressure, school pressure, and athletic pressures. It is not just for crises. Talking to a counselor or therapist can help teens navigate tough issues as well as everyday issues. There is nothing wrong with going to therapy. We can all benefit from it at times.
There is a myth that medication will change a teen’s personality. If medications are taken appropriately and under the care of a psychiatrist or other doctor, they reduce the symptoms of depression or anxiety. They do not erase a person’s personality. Often, a teen will feel more like themselves once a medication has started managing their symptoms.
We talked about this next myth in Smiles and Appearances, The Masks We Wear: Debunking Common Depression Myths (Part 2). It is a myth that if a teen is laughing or getting good grades, they’re fine. Just as adults can mask the symptoms of depression and other mental illness, a teen can mask what they are struggling with. High-functioning depression and anxiety are just as real in teens as they are in adults. Just because a teen appears to be doing well on the outside does not mean they are not living with depression. We need to check in on the teen who smiles as much as we need to check in on the kid who is isolating themself.
I am sure there are more myths out there. It seems that myths about mental health pop up all the time. Many people do not want to believe that depression is real. People want to believe that all kids are happy. Sadly, the ignorance perpetrated by the myths we have discussed harms teens every day. There are so many teens out there who are struggling and who need support. It is important that we breakdown the myths surrounding depression and other mental illnesses. We should be reaching out to teens. We should be listening to them.
If there are teens in your life, I encourage you to listen to them. Listening means more than just hearing their words. It means paying attention to their actions. It means monitoring their moods. It means being aware of changes. Our teens need us. There are too many statistics that show teens are suffering and even dying from depression and mental illness. If we work to break down these myths and pay attention to our young people, we can make a positive impact in their lives.
If you suspect a teen may be struggling with their mental health or feel unprepared to talk to your teen about mental health, reach out for support. You can talk to your teen’s pediatrician or a school counselor. You can contact organizations such as NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). You can call the 988 Lifeline. Whatever you do, don’t stand by silently. Any teen can suffer from depression and other mental illnesses and every teen deserves support.
Check back next Thursday, 3/12, for another part in this series on Debunking Depression Myths.
