Mental Health Warning Signs in Teens: What Parents Should Know

A teen looking down at a mug of tea sits with a concerned adult at a table.

By Jessica Hicks

As your teen’s parent or caregiver, you likely know them better than most people. That’s true even if you don’t realize it and even if your teen doesn’t regularly open up to you. You’re in a unique position to observe their daily habits and moods, so you’re well equipped to know when something’s wrong.

But how can you tell if your teen is navigating expected stress in their lives or if they’re experiencing a more serious mental health issue? Here are some guidelines to help you.

Mild Versus Serious Mental Health Challenges

Mental health challenges are simply part of young adulthood. No matter how resilient your teen may be, they’ll experience things that make them feel weird or off — but that in itself is not always a sign of mental illness. It’s part of growing up, and it’s to be expected.

One way mental health professionals look at the impact and severity a mental health challenge is by assessing how long it lasts. A mild mental health challenge usually lasts for a short period and isn’t disruptive to your teen’s daily life. It may be something like having anxiety leading up to an exam or feeling sad after an argument with a friend.

A serious mental health challenge lasts longer and is disruptive to your teen’s daily life, leading to negative changes in their relationships, performance at school or in sports, daily habits, and more.

In general, two weeks is a good benchmark for figuring out the severity of your teen’s mental health challenge. If they seem to be improving around that time, their mental health challenge may be milder — but that doesn’t mean they don’t need support. If symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it may be helpful to consult a mental health professional.

Signs Your Teen Is Struggling With a More Serious Mental Health Challenge

General Signs

Noticeable changes in sleeping habits
Sadness or withdrawal from social situations, especially if they persist beyond two weeks
Extreme mood swings
Seeming more fearful or avoiding certain environments, situations, or social interactions altogether (such as skipping school or trying to avoid going to school)
Misusing drugs or alcohol
Difficulty with or neglect of basic self-care and personal hygiene
Increased irritability
Getting in fights or suddenly not getting along with others
A sudden increase in reckless, impulsive, or out-of-control behaviors

Specific Signs: Mood

Feeling down for an extended period without a specific reason
Unexpected mood shifts from highs to lows
Constant worry
Feeling empty, uninterested, and unmotivated (also known as apathy)
Angry outbursts
Feeling like they are a burden or that their friends or family would be better off without them

Specific Signs: Behavior

Expressing suicidal thoughts
Stopping or avoiding activities they once enjoyed
Developing false beliefs in things that conflict with reality (also known as delusions)
Having sensory experiences that feel real to them, but are not rooted in reality (also known as hallucinations)
Self-injuring
Feeling fatigued
Experiencing agitation or restlessness
Having difficulty concentrating and slower thinking or processing time
Seeing a drop in performance at school

Trust Your Gut

You know your teen. If you feel something is off, trust yourself and check in with them. Even if you’re not completely sure what they’re going through, you can still have a conversation. If your teen doesn’t want to talk about it, consider giving them some space, reminding them you’re here for them, and checking in at a later point. It’s also a good idea to offer resources. More often than not, asking, “Do you want support or solutions right now?” opens the door to a conversation and gives you a starting point.

Talking more openly about mental health and mental health challenges will only bring you closer to your teen and remind them that you are a safe, trusted person they can turn to when they need support.