Depression in teens has been steadily increasing for at least 10 years. The number of teenagers who recently experienced depression increased by 59% between 2007 and 2017, according to data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The rate of growth was faster for teen girls than for boys: 66% compared to 44%.
While these statistics sound grim, there is reason to hope for recovery. This article provides some detail on the ways mental health treatment can help teens fight depression.
How can mental health treatment help teens fight depression?
The most helpful treatment approach will depend on the sources of each teen’s depression and other factors that add to it. In general, mental health treatment begins with developing mindfulness and self-awareness. When you can identify negative thought patterns and cognitive distortions, you can start exploring more helpful alternatives.
For many teens, depression stems from low self-esteem or a negative self-image. When this is the case, treatment should help them recognize that their strengths and positive traits are valid parts of who they are. Feelings of sadness, hopelessness or emptiness can interfere with a teen’s daily life. A big part of treatment is learning positive ways to cope with these feelings and self-regulate. When negative emotions are unavoidable, teens should have both a support system they can lean on and the flexibility to find practical solutions. Treatment helps teens with depression develop these skills and create a more balanced outlook.
Treatment helps teens develop mindfulness and self-awareness
Negative thought patterns and beliefs are usually informed by very real experiences. We develop them to protect ourselves, but they’re not generally very helpful or effective. Learning how to take a step back and see the bigger picture is an important part of our development. Self-awareness, reflection and choice are the basis of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Many other techniques involve mindfulness practices that encourage nonjudgment and relaxation.
Treatment helps teens improve their self-image
Shame is a powerful social influence. We’re particularly concerned with fitting in during developmental phases in our teen years. Shame can cause people to internalize negative messages they hear about themselves. Instead of helping us improve and move on, it often hangs around as part of our self-image.
Effective mental health treatment emphasizes more realistic points of view, helping us acknowledge both our positive and negative qualities. It also provides helpful frameworks for living by our individual values and becoming the people we want to be.
Treatment helps teens with functioning and emotion regulation
Of course, there are times in everyone’s life when sadness and even depression are natural and healthy responses. We can choose how we respond, but we can only fully move on after we honor these unpleasant feelings. Evidence-based treatments like CBT help people find ways to process their feelings and make good choices. These therapies encourage people to identify their options and take a forward-thinking approach. They teach people to choose actions that align with their personal values and the life they want to live.
Treatment helps teens with depression develop a more positive outlook
We don’t have to be defined by the things that happen to us. However, to have full freedom of choice, we must get our basic needs met. Through mental health treatment, teens can find resilience and faith in themselves. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) encourages radical acceptance that good and bad things can be true at the same time.
Explore depression treatments with Lightfully Teen
Depression is an unfortunate part of life that many people experience for the first time as teenagers. It can be a signal that something needs to change. It’s also a treatable clinical disorder. At Lightfully Teen, we use a variety of approaches in our Teen programs to address the real causes behind each young person’s depression.
How do we do that? We use our Precision Care Model to create responsive treatment experiences for each teen we work with. It begins with a detailed assessment, where we get to know our clients and uncover meaningful insights about their condition. Then we combine interventions from several treatment modalities, including therapies and medications. We match your child with compassionate clinicians they can connect with. Family therapy and group therapy sessions are important parts of each teen’s treatment plan.
Is your teen showing signs of depression? You’re doing the right thing by learning about mental health and the treatment options available. Our Admissions Concierge Team is standing by to answer any questions you have or help you set up an assessment. Let’s work together to help your teen fight depression.
