Mental health is something we hear about all the time, but when you’re a teenager, it feels like no one really gets it. Every time I try to talk about how I’m feeling, I get brushed off and get told “it’s just teenage hormones” or “you’ll grow out of it.” That kind of thinking needs to change. Teen mental health is a real thing.
It’s not just about feeling sad or anxious once in a while. Sometimes you wake up and just don’t have the energy to go to school. You feel like no one understands you. School feels overwhelming. So does social media. And there’s pressure to have everything figured out—even when you don’t.
Teen Mental Health: The Pressure is Real
There are days when even getting out of bed feels like a challenge. Not because I’m lazy or ungrateful, but because everything just feels like a bit too much. School, friends, family, the pressure to look or act a certain way, trying to figure out what you want in life, It all piles up.
One of the most assumptions we face as teens is that we’re just being lazy.
Check out this blog article on “lazy” teens. Maybe it will change how you feel!
Staying Quiet
A lot of us don’t speak up about what we’re feeling. We don’t hold back because we want to, but because we’re scared no one will understand. Or worse, they’ll think we’re being dramatic. Sometimes it feels safer to smile and pretend everything’s fine than risk being judged. But pretending only works for so long. Eventually, it catches up to you, and when it does, you just hope someone’s there to notice.
What We Actually Need
We don’t need people to “fix” us. We just need someone to listen and say, “I’m here,” without making us feel judged. Sometimes we just want a quiet moment to talk, cry, or even sit in silence and not feel alone. We need more space to be honest about how we’re feeling, and we need adults to understand that struggling with mental health isn’t about being weak.
The reality is that many teens are struggling. A recent Canadian survey found that the number of youth who rated their mental health as “fair” or “poor” more than doubled from 12% in 2019 to 26% in 2023 (Statistics Canada, 2025). Teen mental health needs to be a priority for everyone. Remember – teens will soon be adults.
What Helps
Here’s what I’ve learned that helps when dealing with stress and anxiety.
- Taking breaks: it’s okay to step away from studying or social media and just breathe.
- Surrounding yourself with supportive people: Having friends who uplift you instead of draining you makes a huge difference.
- Prioritizing self care: whether it’s listening to music, going for a walk, or just getting enough sleep, self care matters.
- Asking for help: reaching out doesn’t make you weak.
A message to other teens
If you’re struggling, know that you’re not alone. Your feelings are valid, and no matter how impossible things seem, there is always hope. Speak up, take care of yourself, and remember that you are more than your bad days.
Written by: Karma Attia, High School Student
