This is a series developed by our High School Active Minds Club, which will regularly publish mental health myths to grow awareness in our community. 

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Whenever teens speak out about their mental health, it’s usually brushed off due to age, excuse of immaturity, and the idea that teens don’t have any real problems. This mindset is very harmful because it ignores real emotions and struggles that can overwhelm anyone. This is especially harmful in adolescence since they are still growing as a person and looking for their identity. 

Whether it’s due to academics, relationships with friends or family, or pressure caused by social expectations your peers put on you, teens can face constant stress that deeply affects their mental health. When people laugh off their friend or family member who tell them about their struggles, one might stop talking about their struggles overall and start isolating themselves from everyone.

The reality of this is that mental health challenges should never be defined by age, and it shouldn’t be joked about or brushed off. There are hotlines like 866-903-3787 (the New York Mental Health Hotline and more on this link: List of Hotlines for Mental Health Help) and websites like alilhelp.org -which provides resources for some mental health struggles and how to cope with them- in case talking to friends or family feels difficult. But at the end of the day, breaking this stereotype starts with listening to teens and recognizing that everybody’s feelings are valid.