World Teen Mental Wellness Day: How To Support Your Teen’s Mental Health
- otherwisekate
- Feb 28
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 19
I’m deeply passionate about mental health. It’s a big part of what prompted me to start this blog. And my children, who are my world, are now teenagers. So combining mental health and teenagers makes this a topic very close to my heart. To mark World Teen Mental Wellness Day, this week's blog post is about how to support your teen's mental health.
The Importance of World Teen Mental Wellness Day
Mental Health is a hot topic these days. And rightly so. More and more people are facing struggles with mental health. March 2nd marks World Teen Mental Wellness Day, a vital reminder of the challenges young people face in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world.
As a teenager of the nineties, I don’t recall much discussion about mental health. That’s not to say people had no mental health issues, I just don’t think it was discussed as openly as it is now.
I must confess that until this year I was unaware that there was such a thing as World Teen Mental Wellness Day although it was first observed on 2nd March 2020. Admittedly, it’s hard to keep up with all the days designated to particular causes but this one seems an important one. I was surprised to learn that World Teen Mental Wellness Day was established by Hollister, a clothing brand, aiming to raise awareness about the mental health challenges faced by teenagers and to promote self-care and open conversations. Over the past few years the day has been marked globally by various organisations.
As a parent, I’ve seen firsthand how stress, anxiety, and social expectations can weigh heavily on teenagers. Between academic demands, social media influence, and the pressure to fit in, all in a fast changing world, our teens are navigating a complex emotional landscape.
A Mental Health Crisis
There’s no escaping the sad fact that as a nation we are facing a mental health epidemic and this includes our youngsters. In October 2024 the World Health Organisation reported that globally one in seven 10-19 years olds experienced a mental disorder. The term mental disorder can cover a variety of conditions including Anxiety, Depression, Post Traumatic Stress and Eating Disorders to name just a few.
Looking more specifically at the UK, the news only gets worse with that number thought to be one in five young people. So while I remember being told, “Your school days are the best days of your life”, this is clearly not the case for many teenagers. Tragically, suicide is the third most common cause of death among young men. The news from the US is no better with more children than ever being prescribed medication for mental health conditions and suicide rates are rising.
The Factors Contributing to a Mental Health Crisis
It seems to me that the staggering rise in cases of mental illness suggests that we need to look at our environment and social factors of modern society to understand why there is such a strain on the mental health of humans of all ages. Life has changed and childhood has changed.
Phones and social media
Social media always seems to be the first area to have fingers pointed at it. I’ve already written about social media and my feeling that it’s not all bad. However, there’s no denying that it can add extra pressure to our kids. Without careful supervision and limitations in place (a whole new era of parenting!), our clever smartphones can allow our kids to be subjected to online interactions, pleasant or otherwise, day and night. There’s nothing quite like social media to inject a nice dose of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) or self comparison.
Bullying
Kids can be cruel, can’t they? A study by the University of Manchester in January 2025 reported bullying has a significant negative impact on mental health.
It doesn’t take much for a child to find themselves singled out as an easy target for bullying; the wrong shoes, making a mistake in class, wrong hair colour, a disability. Peer relationships are hugely important to teenagers and being ostracised or picked on can have a severely detrimental impact to a young person’s mental health.
School stress
You may be a parent to one of the tens of thousands of teenagers who struggle to attend school, in which case you’ll know only too well that the current education system is unable to support all children in the way they need, however hard individuals within that system try. School brings a substantial amount of pressure into the lives of its students, increasing as they work towards exams.
Teenage hormones
In addition to navigating the physical changes of puberty, our teens are subjected to fluctuating hormones which can heighten emotional responses, potentially making them more vulnerable to mental disorders such as anxiety and depression.
My Parenting Experience
As a parent of two teenagers, one neurotypical and one neurodivergent, I’ve encountered my own challenges and over the years I’ve learned that no family is immune to mental health struggles.
It’s so hard, as a parent, to not feel completely responsible for your child’s health and happiness but having a child facing mental health difficulties is not your fault. Many parents blame themselves when their teen faces issues like anxiety, depression, self-harm, or eating disorders. However, even in loving, stable homes, mental health struggles can arise. It’s not a reflection of poor parenting.
Neurodivergent teens, such as those with autism or ADHD, may experience unique mental health challenges. For example, autistic burnout isn’t a mental illness itself but can contribute to anxiety, depression, and emotional distress. Recognizing these struggles and providing the right kind of support is crucial in helping neurodivergent teens maintain their well-being. (You can read about our experience of autistic burnout here.)
Like most parents, my biggest wish is for my children to be healthy and happy so supporting them to care for their mental health has been an extremely important part of my parenting journey. In fact it’s so important to me that I have put mental health before most things, including education.
How Parents Can Support Their Teens
It’s so hard, as a parent, to not feel completely responsible for your child’s health and happiness but having a child facing mental health difficulties is not your fault. As our children become teenagers it becomes harder to protect them from outside factors which may affect their mental health.
For me, the most important thing is to nurture a positive relationship with your child. Be the person they know they can come to whatever their problem may be. Dr Gabor Mate, an expert on trauma and mental health, explains that the essential needs of humans include “a safe secure attachment relationship with parents who are emotionally attuned and present for them.” (He also recognises that this is becoming increasingly difficult for some parents to provide as they navigate their own mental health.)
Our children are all so different and will face different challenges. Although I’m not aware of any magic methods to completely eliminate the threat of mental health struggles, there are things we can do to try to support mental wellness and to support our kids when the going gets tough.
Encourage Open Conversations – One of the best ways to support your teen’s mental health is by encouraging open conversations. When teenagers feel safe discussing their emotions, it can reduce the risk of anxiety and depression. Create a safe space where your teen feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and emotions without fear of judgment.
Validate Their Feelings – Acknowledge their struggles and reassure them that their emotions are valid, even if you haven’t experienced or fully understand them.
Promote Healthy Habits – Sleep, exercise, and nutrition play a crucial role in mental well-being. Help your teen establish routines that support their overall health.
Set Boundaries with Technology – While social media and phones are part of their world, setting limits and promoting screen-free time can help reduce stress and anxiety. Personally, I know this is one of the areas I need to work on - my kids probably have healthier relationships with their phones than I do!
Model Self-Care and Coping Strategies – Show your teens that prioritising mental health is important by practicing self-care yourself. Teach them coping skills such as mindfulness, journaling, or deep breathing techniques. I honestly think that knowing my kids are observing me has prompted me to make more effort to prioritise my own self-care.
Mental Health Resources for Parents
The following resources are ones that I have personally found supportive and helpful.
‘Never Let Go’ by Suzanne Alderson
As well as this book sharing her own experience, Suzanne Alderson has founded a charity and created a supportive community for other parents navigating mental health with their children. You can access it here: Suzanne Alderson - Parenting Mental Health
CAMHS - NHS website
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Young Minds - Mental health support for children and parents
Facebook Groups
More Than Raising Awareness
This day isn’t just about raising awareness; it’s about starting real conversations, breaking the stigma, and finding ways to support the mental health of our teenagers. If you’ve found this article helpful, consider sharing it with others who may also find it useful.
Have you found strategies or resources that work well for your family? Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear your experiences!
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