Mental health is a serious issue that affects people of all ages, including teenagers. In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), an estimated 20% of adolescents aged 13-18 experience a mental health disorder in any given year.
While many teens with mental health disorders do not receive treatment, those who do can benefit greatly from teen therapy. Through therapy, teens can learn how to cope with their symptoms, improve their relationships, and make positive changes in their lives.
Statistics on teens who see therapists in the United States
- In 2019, an estimated 13.6% of U.S. children between the ages of 5 and 17 years had received mental health treatment in the past year.
- Of those who received treatment, 10.0% had received counseling or therapy from a mental health professional, like a licensed therapist in Colorado, and 8.4% had taken prescription medication for their mental health.
- Older children were slightly more likely to have received any mental health treatment than younger children. In 2019, 16.8% of teens aged 12-17 years had received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months, compared to 10.8% of children aged 5-11 years.
- Girls were more likely than boys to have received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months, but many still saw therapists. In 2019, 15.7% of girls had received any mental health treatment, compared to 11.5% of boys.
- Teens from low-income families were less likely than teens from high-income families to have received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months. In 2019, 10.1% of teens from low-income families had received any mental health treatment, compared to 18.0% of teens from high-income families.
These statistics show that while many teens with mental health disorders do not receive treatment, those who do can benefit greatly from therapy with a professional therapist. If you are a teen who is struggling with your mental health, please know that you are not alone and that there is help available. Talk to your parents, a trusted adult, or a mental health professional about getting the help you need.
Benefits of therapy for teens
Therapy can help teens:
- Learn how to cope with their symptoms and feelings
- Improve their relationships at home and school
- Make positive changes in their lives and emotional well-being
- Improve their academic performance at school and performance in activities
- Reduce their risk or thoughts of suicide
- Increase their self-esteem and confidence in lasting ways
- Improve their overall mental health for everyday life
If you are a teen who is struggling with your mental health, please know that therapy can help in many ways. Talk to your parents, a trusted adult, or a mental health professional about getting the help you need. You deserve to be happy and healthy, and therapy can help you achieve that.
How to find a therapist
If you are a teen who is interested in getting therapy, there are a few things you can do to find a therapist.
- Talk to your parents or another trusted adult. They may be able to help you find a therapist who is a good fit for you. Sometimes, you can even search for “therapist near me” on Google and see if there are therapists near where you live or go to school.
- Ask your school counselor or another school staff member for help finding a therapist.
- Search online for therapists in your area. There are many websites that can help you find therapists who specialize in working with teens, like Psychology Today.
- Once you have found a few therapists, call their offices and ask about their availability and their fees. Usually, the best therapists list their rates on their website.
It is important to find a therapist who you feel comfortable with and who you can trust to share things about your life. It is also important to find a therapist who is a good fit for your specific needs.
Advice for parents of teens in therapy
If you are a parent of a teen who is struggling with their mental health, there are a few things you can do to help.
- Talk to your teen about what they are going through, whatever it is. Let them know that you are there for them and that you want to help.
- Encourage your teen to seek professional help from a therapist. Therapy can be very helpful for teens who are struggling with their mental health.
- Be patient and supportive. It may take some time for your teen to get better.
- Remember that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you and your teen together.
If you are a parent of a teen who is struggling with their mental health, please know that you are not alone. There are many resources available to help you and your teen.
