Depression in Teenagers (Misconception #2) By: Sri Vaishnavi Karri

We are back with another blog on teenager mental health misconceptions! Last time we discussed one of the most common misconceptions regarding mental health that teens don't actually have depression, and that it’s simply teenage moodiness. This time let's break down the misconception that parents are the cause of adolescent mental illness. 

Although it can be true that parents affect the mental health of teens, this is not always the case. We have to take into account that there are a number of reasons for mental health decline as everyone's life differs. The decline in a teens mental health can occur through outside factors such as social media, friends, self-comparison, school, grades, body-image, and etc. This is just a small list of common reasons. 

Circling back, parental pressure arrives with the feeling of care, compassion, and love. Parental pressure is not always as evil as a teenager may think it is. Not to mention, the generational differences between parents and their children is so significant to the point where ideas and views of society completely differ through the two perspectives (parents and children).

When deciding to blame something or someone, it is important to ask yourself why. The reason for blame is so important in uncovering honesty and truth. No one or nothing, including yourself, can be blamed for instability in mental health of yourself or a teen, as there is always a combination of factors that contribute to effects on mental health.

Be mindful of what you refer to as the cause of yours or others mental health. Your life differs from others, even if it means you are comparing your life to your parents. Ideas differ and opinions differ, and IT IS COMPLETELY OK! 

Nonetheless, it doesn't matter who caused the effect on one's mental health as that is not going to help one recover. Working with your own opinions and how you deal with your own ideas is what is going to affect your recovery.

That is it for this blog on teenage mental health misconceptions! Stay tuned to challenge more misconceptions on teenage mental health!