Today’s youth face a lot of pressure in school. Some teens handle it well and have no issues, but others develop mental health concerns caused by school pressure. Teens are expected to read and write well and perform well in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) classes. Meanwhile, they are required to sit quietly in a class all day and complete loads of homework after school.  Kids who do well in elementary school can start to develop problems as they reach middle and high school. The workload increases and the amount of time spent exercising throughout the day decreases. It’s common for parents to notice that their teens struggle in school as they reach adolescence.   If you notice that your teen is getting discouraged in school, getting frustrated with their work, or giving up on schoolwork, there are several corrective steps that you can take. Because there are so many different things that could be going on, it’s important to explore the options to see what will work best for your teen. 

How can school cause mental health concerns in teens?

Teens are under a lot of pressure to perform well academically, participate in extracurricular activities, and make friends. If they have learning disabilities, school can be overwhelming and cause mental health concerns. Schoolwork is intended to be rigorous and demanding, but a lot of schools aren’t prepared to make accommodations for students who don’t learn in traditional ways.  When students are set up for failure, they can start to lose self-confidence and motivation. Being forced to spend hours each day in a situation that seems insurmountable can cause mental health concerns in teens.  As you start addressing your teen’s learning disabilities, talk to your child’s pediatrician or family doctor. They may be able to provide a diagnosis and give you further resources. Some common learning disabilities in teens include:

• ADD (Attention-Deficit Disorder)
• ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
• Dyslexia
• Dyscalculia
• Dysgraphia
• Dyspraxia
• Auditory Processing Disorder

Having the accommodations that they need to function well in school can decrease mental health concerns in teens. Your doctor should be able to recommend therapeutic or medicinal treatment to help address their symptoms. You can also talk to your child’s school counselor to create an IEP (individualized education plan) to help your child succeed in class. 

Symptoms of mental health concerns in teens

If your teen has chronic issues in school, keep an eye out for additional mental health concerns that could be caused by school stress. Teens who feel like they can’t keep up in school can start to develop low self-esteem, worry about their future, or give up on their goals.  Some of the common symptoms of anxiety and depression in teens include:

• Change in eating habits. Eating significantly more or less than usual. Eating significantly different foods than usual. Significant weight gain or loss. 
• Change in sleeping patterns. Sleeping more or less than usual. Having trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Having bad dreams or nightmares. 
• Withdrawing from people, places, or activities that they used to enjoy. Spending lots of time alone. Avoiding certain places or people. Giving up on hobbies.
• Avoiding social situations. Staying away from crowds. Skipping school. Making excuses to stay home instead of going out with friends. 
• Neglecting responsibilities. Not completing homework. Not completing chores at home. Skipping practice or team-based activities. 

It is common for teens to experience some ups and downs during high school and to get nervous around peers, but it shouldn’t impact their life. If you notice that the symptoms of depression or anxiety are getting in the way of your teen’s life, address it immediately. It’s important for teens to address these issues early so that they can get back on track at home and at school.  For more information about therapeutic treatment for troubled teens, call us at 1-855-587-1416.