Understanding Teenage Mental Health in Australia
Understanding Adolescent Mental Health
Adolescence is a unique and formative time. It’s a period marked by significant physical, emotional, and social changes. Young people are developing their sense of identity, gaining independence, and navigating new relationships, all while undergoing brain development.
These transitions can sometimes lead to heightened emotional and mental health challenges. In Australia, adolescent mental health is becoming a critical issue, with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
It’s important to understand the underlying factors that contribute to adolescent mental health issues and how they can manifest differently from adult mental health problems.
During adolescence, the brain undergoes a series of structural and chemical changes that affect decision-making, emotional regulation, and social interactions. For example, the prefrontal cortex, responsible for critical thinking and impulse control, is still maturing, while the limbic system, which is involved in emotions, is highly active. This imbalance can make adolescents more vulnerable to emotional distress, risk-taking behaviors, and mood swings.
It’s also a time when young people experience increased academic pressures, social expectations, and exposure to social media, all of which can exacerbate mental health challenges. Adolescents might struggle to articulate their feelings, or they may fear being judged or misunderstood, making it difficult to seek help when they need it.
Prevalence of Mental Health Disorders in Adolescents
In Australia, the prevalence of mental health disorders in adolescents is significant. According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW, 2014), around one in seven young people aged 12–17 experiences a mental health disorder in any given year.
Results from the Young Minds Matter Survey (2015) indicated that 1 in 7 (13.9%) students aged between 4 and 17 experienced some form of a mental health disorder. More specifically, they found that the most common mental health disorders diagnosed in this age group was ADHD (7.4%), anxiety disorders (6.9%), and major depressive disorder (2.8%)
The rates of mental health disorders among adolescents in Australia have been increasing in recent years. This rise is often attributed to a combination of factors, including academic stress, social media use, bullying, and broader societal pressures. However, it’s also encouraging to note that more young people are seeking help for their mental health, thanks in part to growing awareness and reduced stigma.
The Impact of Social Media on Adolescent Mental Health
Social media is deeply embedded in the lives of young people today. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat allow adolescents to connect with peers, express themselves, and access information. While social media can have positive aspects—such as providing a sense of community and belonging—it can also negatively impact mental health.
Research has shown that excessive use of social media can lead to increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem in adolescents. The constant comparison to peers, influencers, and celebrities can lead to young people feeling inadequate about their appearance, achievements, or their home or social life. The idealised images presented on social media can distort body image perceptions, contributing to mental health difficulties such as eating disorders and body dysmorphia.
Cyberbullying is another serious concern. Social media can be a breeding ground for bullying behaviors, where young people are exposed to harassment, shaming, or exclusion in front of a large online audience. The anonymous nature of online interactions often exacerbates the cruelty, leaving adolescents vulnerable to emotional distress.
Moreover, the pressure to stay constantly connected can disrupt healthy sleep patterns, which are essential for mental and emotional well-being. Adolescents may feel compelled to check their notifications late into the night, contributing to sleep deprivation, which in turn can heighten symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The role of social media influencers, unrealistic beauty standards, and the addictive nature of algorithms designed to keep users engaged have made it increasingly challenging for adolescents to detach from these platforms.
While social media has its benefits, it’s essential for adolescents to be taught digital literacy, how to critically evaluate what they see online, and how to establish healthy boundaries with their social media usage. It is also important that they understand when social media use is causing them distress, and what support options or adaptive coping tools are available to them during these times.
How to Support an Adolescent Who is Struggling with Their Mental Health
Recognising when an adolescent is struggling with their mental health can be challenging, but there are key signs to look out for, such as changes in behavior, withdrawal from activities, academic decline, mood swings, or expressions of hopelessness. Parents, teachers, and caregivers play a crucial role in supporting adolescents during these difficult times.
Create an Open and Supportive Environment: Adolescents need to feel that they can talk about their emotions without fear of judgment or dismissal. Encourage open conversations about mental health and be patient when listening. Avoid offering quick fixes or minimizing their feelings, as this can discourage further communication.
Promote Healthy Habits: Encourage routines that support mental well-being, such as regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and mindfulness practices. Adolescents need healthy outlets for managing stress.
Be Aware of Social Media Use: Discuss the impact of social media on mental health and set reasonable limits on usage. Encourage face-to-face interactions, hobbies, and activities that can provide a break from the pressures of the online world.
Encourage Professional Help: If an adolescent’s mental health is deteriorating, it may be time to seek professional help. Reassure them that it’s okay to ask for help and that mental health professionals are there to provide support without judgment.
Maintain Connections: Building and maintaining strong connections with family, friends, and the community can provide a buffer against mental health challenges. Encourage adolescents to engage with their support networks, whether it’s through sports teams, creative groups, or volunteer opportunities.
How a Clinical Psychologist Might Be Able to Help
Clinical psychologists are mental health professionals who are trained in diagnosing and treating mental health disorders. For adolescents, a clinical psychologist can provide a safe and supportive space to explore their feelings and develop coping strategies. Their role in adolescent mental health is multifaceted:
Assessment and Diagnosis: A clinical psychologist can assess an adolescent’s mental health through interviews, questionnaires, and psychological tests. This helps identify underlying issues such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD.
Therapeutic Interventions: Depending on the diagnosis, a clinical psychologist can offer evidence-based therapeutic interventions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), for example, is a common treatment for anxiety and depression. It helps adolescents understand how their thoughts influence their emotions and behaviors and teaches them skills to manage their mental health.
Family Support: In many cases, family dynamics can influence an adolescent’s mental health. Clinical psychologists can involve the family in the treatment process, offering guidance on how to create a supportive home environment and improve communication.
Building Resilience: Adolescents often benefit from learning resilience-building skills, such as emotional regulation, stress management, and problem-solving. Clinical psychologists work with young people to develop these skills, which can help them navigate future challenges.
Crisis Intervention: For adolescents who are in crisis—whether due to suicidal ideation, self-harm, or severe emotional distress—clinical psychologists can offer support and help develop a safety plan to protect the young person’s well-being.
It’s important for parents and caregivers to know that seeking help from a clinical psychologist is not a sign of failure but rather a proactive step in supporting an adolescent’s mental health journey.
Clinical psychologists are uniquely equipped to offer support not just for diagnosed mental health conditions, but also for the general stress and emotional turmoil that many adolescents experience. In Australia, many clinical psychologists work in private practices (such as ELD Psychology in Newcastle), schools, or through government-funded programs such as Headspace, which focuses specifically on youth mental health.
Helplines and Support
In Australia, there are several helplines and resources available for adolescents who may be struggling with their mental health, as well as for their families and caregivers.
Kids Helpline: A free, confidential, 24/7 online and phone counseling service for young people aged 5–25. Website: kidshelpline.com.au, Phone: 1800 55 1800
Headspace: A national youth mental health foundation that provides early intervention services for young people aged 12–25. Headspace offers in-person support, online counseling, and resources for mental health, physical health, work, and study. Website: headspace.org.au
Lifeline Australia: A 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service. While Lifeline is not exclusively for adolescents, it’s a vital resource for anyone in crisis. Website: lifeline.org.au, Phone: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: Offers information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health. Beyond Blue provides resources for both young people and their families. Website: beyondblue.org.au, Phone: 1300 22 4636
eHeadspace: Provides free online and telephone support and counseling to young people aged 12–25 and their families and friends. It’s run by Headspace and offers help with a range of mental health issues. Website: eheadspace.org.au
Encouraging young people to reach out to these services can provide much-needed support during times of distress. Adolescence is an important period for mental health, with young people facing unique challenges that can affect their emotional and psychological well-being.
In Australia, the rates of mental health disorders among adolescents are concerning, but with the right support—whether through family involvement, professional help, or helplines—young people may be able to overcome these challenges and develop healthy coping mechanisms for life.
Recognising the early signs of mental health issues and providing access to evidence-based treatments like those offered by clinical psychologists is important. Alongside national support services such as Kids Helpline and Headspace,
Australia has a comprehensive network dedicated to helping adolescents navigate their mental health journey. By fostering open conversations and providing support when needed, we can help adolescents thrive both mentally and emotionally during this pivotal stage of life.
References:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2014). The mental health of children and adolescents: Report on the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. https://www.aihw.gov.au
Lawrence, D., Johnson, S., Hafekost, J., Boterhoven de Haan, K., Sawyer, M., Ainley, J., & Zubrick, S. R. (2015). The mental health of children and adolescents: Report on the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Department of Health, Canberra. https://youngmindsmatter.telethonkids.org.au
Meet Your Clinical Psychologists In Newcastle
Dr Emma Doolan is a Clinical Psychologist based in Newcastle. With a collaborative and evidence-based approach, she helps clients overcome various challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, and trauma.
Emma is experienced in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other modalities like schema therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and compassion-focused therapy. She holds a PhD in clinical psychology and has completed her registration as a clinical psychologist from AHPRA. Emma is a member of several professional associations, including ACPA, APS, AACBT, and APN.
Paige Cornell is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle who has experience in therapeutic modalities such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, Schema Therapy, DBT, and ACT. She focuses on building a solid therapeutic relationship and tailoring treatment to each individual. Paige has experience in private practice, NGOs, and forensic settings.
She works with a diverse range of mental health issues, including anxiety, mood disorders, PTSD, relationship problems, substance abuse, and offending behaviours. Paige is particularly interested in helping LGBTQI+ individuals and those dealing with trauma and substance abuse. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist and a board-approved supervisor for psychologists. Paige is a member of ACPA and APS, holding a Master's in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor's in Psychological Science (Honours).
Taylah Armstrong is a Clinical Psychologist in Newcastle. She focuses on developing solid therapeutic relationships to assist individuals in enhancing their well-being and achieving their goals. Taylah is skilled in treating various concerns such as anxiety, stress, mood disorders, trauma, and eating disorders.
She utilises evidence-based therapies like CBT, DBT, and ACT. Taylah has worked in public healthcare, primary care, and education sectors. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist by AHPRA and holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Newcastle.
Paige Whitfield is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle with experience in private and public health settings. She collaborates with health professionals, families, and schools to provide evidence-based treatments like CBT, Narrative Therapy, and ACT for various issues. Paige has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology (Honours) and a Master's in Clinical Psychology. She is fully registered and endorsed as a clinical psychologist and is a member of APS and ACPA.
Dr Kaitlin Fitzgerald is a clinical psychologist in Newcastle who takes a collaborative and client-centred approach to therapy. She creates a warm and relaxed environment for clients, aiming to make therapy sessions comfortable and even enjoyable. Kaitlin holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle. In addition to her private practice at ELD Psychology, she also works in public mental health treating adults with various mental health issues.
Kaitlin has experience working with a wide range of concerns, such as anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties. She is skilled in evidence-based therapies like CBT, Schema Therapy, DBT, and ACT. Kaitlin is fully registered as a clinical psychologist with AHPRA and is approved to supervise provisional and registered psychologists.
Eliza Newton is a person-centred Clinical Psychologist dedicated to helping clients explore their deeper selves. She tailors her approach to each client, using psychodynamic therapy for self-exploration or structured techniques like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Schema Therapy. Eliza focuses on individuals overcoming childhood trauma, including Complex PTSD, and helps those with ADHD develop organisational and emotional well-being strategies. With experience in private practice, inpatient settings, and psychiatric rehabilitation, she addresses challenges from anxiety and mood disorders to severe mental illness.
Eliza holds a Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) from the University of Newcastle and a Master of Clinical Psychology from Western Sydney University. She is registered as a Clinical Psychologist with AHPRA and is a member of AAPi and ACPA.
Disclaimer
The content provided on this blog is intended for Australian audiences and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered as professional psychological advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information shared here is based on general knowledge and experience in the field of psychology, but it may not be applicable to your specific situation.
Always seek the advice of your psychologist or other qualified mental health provider with any questions you may have regarding a psychological condition or treatment. Never disregard professional psychological advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this blog.
If you are in crisis or you think you may have an emergency, call your doctor, or dial 000 immediately. This blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The opinions expressed in this blog are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any affiliated organisations or institutions.