Adolescence: A Critical Window to Influence Youth Mental Health
Downloadable PDF: Adolescence: A Critical Window to Influence Youth Mental Health , Four Experiences that Support Wellbeing During the Adolescent Years
Research into cognitive and social development tells us that adolescence is a critical period to influence the mental health of young people. We can help young people not just survive but thrive by exposing them to conditions and experiences that support their developmental needs during these years.
It is not enough to focus on youth mental health only at the crisis level–we need to use what we’ve learned about adolescent cognitive and social development to support young people even earlier.
Policymakers, schools, counselors, and parents should be drawing on the research into adolescent development to support youth wellbeing.
There is ample evidence that these experiences support wellbeing during our adolescent years:
Healthy ways to channel their motivation to try new things and explore their world
Extracurricular activities at schools, special interest clubs and sports, and community-based activities, such as volunteering in social-service agencies that also provide an opportunity to process their experiences can provide healthy outlets for risk taking opportunities.
Opportunities to contribute to others
Contributing to others–either in informal ways, or through volunteering, leadership programs, and community engagement–has been linked to having a greater sense of meaning and purpose, which can promote better mental health, especially for youth from marginalized groups. Interventions to improve relationships in families have been shown to improve mental health in youth. Adult mentors can also positively impact the mental health of youth, particularly for adolescents with unstable home environments.
Healthy relationships with parents and other caring adults
Interventions to improve relationships in families have been shown to improve mental health in youth. Adult mentors can also positively impact the mental health of youth, particularly for adolescents with unstable home environments.
Sufficient sleep
Regular and sufficient sleep is essential to learning and exploration, and is critical to mental health during adolescence. Later school start times, policies that reduce homework, and family-based interventions such as removing phones at night have all shown promise
More research that looks at all young people in context
We also need more research into the unique challenges facing the diversity of concerns of adolescents today, including climate anxiety and other issues facing youth in the Global South and in marginalized groups within western countries.
Today’s youth are the leaders, innovators, and citizens who will be tackling issues such as climate change and social inequalities. They need our support to thrive.
For more information on supporting positive development to promote youth wellbeing, see “Young people need experiences that boost their mental health,” Nature, October 2022.
Adolescence: A Critical Window to Influence Youth Mental Health
Four Experiences that Support Wellbeing During the Adolescent Years
