Your child is hurting, and you will do anything to help them. But it’s hard to understand their feelings and what drives them – family structure? Genetics? Relationships? Doctors increasingly recognize the role of the environment in adolescent mental health.

Some elements of our environment aren’t within our control. But others may be. Therefore, it’s important for you to consider some of the ways the environment impacts adolescent mental health. With that knowledge, you can help select the best possible adolescent mental health treatment for your young one. To learn more about your treatment options, contact Foothills at Red Oak at 866.300.5275 today.

3 Ways the Environment Impacts Adolescent Mental Health

Researchers study the question of the impact of the physical and social environment. A growing body of evidence suggests that environmental factors overall play a more significant role in determining the state of our overall health.

For adolescents, the impacts are more intense as we are dealing with still-developing minds. Here are three ways the environment impacts adolescent mental health:

• Presence or perception of crime or dangerousness can easily cause stress and anxiety levels to spike, perhaps chronically, leading to clinical problems with anxiety disorders.
• Living in lower-income areas may result in diminished access to healthcare; without facilities nearby or a physician to consult, mental health problems can grow unchecked, and depression can set in.
• Lack of support systems, especially at school or in a family or neighborhood, has begun to break down.

Any of these factors can put pressure on the state of adolescent mental health. It doesn’t have to be real, even; the perception alone is enough to shake someone’s psyche. If you or someone you love is showing stress from their environment, consider seeking adolescent mental health treatment.

Symptoms of Adolescent Mental Health Issues

Of course, children aren’t as able to put their feelings into words as well as adults. So you might be wondering: How do I know if I should explore mental health treatment programs for my loved one?

The signs can be subtle, so it’s important not to overreact and stay in close touch with your doctor. But a few of the symptoms include:

• Lost pleasure/interest in activities that used to get them excited
• Listless, lacking energy
• Unusual sleep patterns — sleeping too much or too little
• Isolation from friends, spending more time alone
• Signs they are experimenting with drugs or alcohol

The last one is especially important. People with mental health challenges, and especially adolescents, are highly prone to problems with substance abuse. This condition is called a “co-occurring disorder” and is a fundamental aspect of adolescent mental health treatment.

Protecting the Mental Health of Adolescents

In an instance where you have questions about your loved one’s emotional stability, you are likely thinking about how to get help for adolescent mental health. Many facilities offer mental health treatment programs geared toward young people.

It’s not easy to see your loved one struggling. But the professionals at Foothills at Red Oak, like those at other facilities, are trained in the tender concerns of adolescents and the latest in evidence-based addiction care.

Getting care is the most important thing. Depression is one of the leading causes of illness and disability among teens. It is also a leading cause of suicide among people 15 to 19 years of age.

Adolescent Mental Health at Foothills at Red Oak

Our young people face enormous pressures from today’s modern lifestyle. The state of adolescent mental health is something we all need to be careful of and concerned about, especially since it can give way to substance abuse problems. The staff at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery addresses the concerns of boys between the ages of 14 and 17. Our programs provide treatment for a variety of mental health conditions, including:

• Depression treatment
• Anxiety treatment
• Disordered eating treatment
• Bipolar disorder treatment
• PTSD treatment

Foothills at Red Oak offers these services in a safe, comfortable, and confidential environment. Don’t let the forces around you disrupt the future for your child. Contact Foothills today at 866.300.5275 to speak to a counselor to learn more and set up your initial consultation.