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HEA-110-TD1
Daniel Crandol
15 August 2016
Health in the News Abstract #1
Mr. Marek Gaddy

Mental Health Issues for Teenagers

Adolescence in the United States has often been the breeding ground for future long-term
mental health-related disorders to begin manifesting in youthful psyches out of external stressors
like schoolwork, family obligations, and extracurricular activities. Of all the many factors that
can end a promising youths life before it truly blossoms into adulthood, mental health disorders
are definitely amongst the most damaging and if not immediately treated can lead to lifelong
consequences. Consequences students like high school student Toreh Jackson knows all too well.
Suffering with clinically diagnosed anxiety her whole life, her decision to remain tight-lipped
about her mental health issues has led to further deterioration of her mental health through eating
and obsessive-compulsive disorders. It was only when she began confiding in a therapist
qualified to treat mental health disorders that she began truly realizing her full potential and
improving herself for the better. Unfortunately, Taras story is often the exception compared to
thousands of other cases where many adolescents would prefer to internalize their mental
ailments for fear of being judged or ridiculed by their various social circles and family. They
already have to form their own identities in an environment characterized by stressful situations
and peer pressure, and for those with pre-existing conditions prior to attending high school the
problem is only worsened. New Mexico senior Molly Mannila commented on the numerous
stressors affecting many teenagers and how these stressors can turn from benign to malignant to
ones physical and mental health if they dont allow themselves an intervention or a confidante to
alleviate the stress. So like many other problems in life, the key to overcoming a mental health
disorder or the possibility of getting one is by confiding in others your plight. For many
teenagers, they fear being patronized and belittled by adults or authority figures who would
brush aside their pleas for help thus leaving them to deal with the hurt by themselves. This
adolescent mindset is further nurtured by the multitude of emotions that a teen must go through
on a regular basis through juggling school, friends, jobs, and future career paths while forging
their own identity. However, its paramount that they know that they have a support system thats
willing to hold them up when their knees begin to buckle under the pressure. When theyre stuck
in a rut, the best way to get out of it is to talk to others about it and let synergy do the rest.
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Works Cited

Webb, Tilcara. "Stuck in a Rut: Seeking Help for Mental Health Issues First Step to Get
Better." The Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe New Mexican, 1 Sept. 2016. Web. 12 Sept.
2016.