A recent study published in The Journal of Adolescent Health looked into how characteristics of a neighborhood (such as its safety) can influence a young person’s mental health.
It found that adolescents who go through tough situations like trauma, bullying, using drugs, or fighting are more likely to feel depressed and think about suicide. Moreover, it showed that those living in stressful neighborhoods are more likely to fight back and face more of these tough situations than teens from calmer or “low-stress” neighborhoods.
This study shows how important it is to address such risks, and caring adults can play a big role, such as guiding them through tough situations and offering support. Seeking professional help when needed, is also necessary to help teens cope.
Understanding the Research
In this cross-sectional study, the researchers looked at 13,837 emergency room visits made by 14-18-year-olds at a large pediatric hospital in Philadelphia between 2013 and 2020.
During these visits, the teenagers completed a standard Behavioral Health Screening. It focused on assessing psychosocial risk factors, along with mental health symptoms. The teens were asked to self-report their experiences with various risk factors, such as trauma, bullying, substance use, and possibly other challenges.
The researchers categorized the neighborhoods where these teens lived as low, moderate, or high-stress areas. This classification was based on two things:
- The level of gun violence in the neighborhood between 2013 and 2020.
- The neighborhood's score on the Child Opportunity Index, which measures factors like access to resources, education, and safety.
Here is a summary of the findings:
Certain psychosocial risk factors were found to greatly increase the chances of depression and suicide risk in teens. These challenges included:
- Going through trauma
- Being bullied at school
- Risky or harmful substance use
- Getting into fights
- Retaliating with aggression (getting back at the person who hurt them)
Another important finding was that the chance of having mental health issues (like depression or thoughts of suicide) went up as they faced more difficult life situations. This was even more noticeable for teens in calmer neighborhoods. This may be because, in these neighborhoods, issues like trauma or bullying might feel more intense.
Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers
How can families help teens manage the impact of their environment on their mental health, especially when some situations are outside their control? Here are some tips:
Talk regularly with your teen about their social experiences
Since bullying, trauma, and other challenges are linked to higher mental health risks, have regular calm conversations about their day-to-day experiences as part of your routine. This will keep both of you connected, and you can notice any problems early.
Remember to listen more than you speak. Give them the space to express themselves fully. Sometimes, our teens just need us to listen.
Help them explore clubs and sports that allow them to form positive connections
These are opportunities for your teen to form relationships with peers who can uplift them. Together, they can develop new skills!
For example, community service clubs allow them to help others and build empathy, while art or drama clubs allow them to express themselves creatively and gain confidence.
Teach them coping mechanisms
Coping skills act as a buffer by reducing the likelihood of stressors causing mental health problems. Strategies like deep breathing or mindfulness help them control big emotions so they don’t get too stressed or anxious.
When creating strategies for improving the mental health of adolescents, it's important to look at both personal factors and environmental factors that might affect them. Considering both can make interventions more effective.
Looking for more resources to support teens’ mental health? Check out our Stress Management Worksheets and Coping Skills Worksheets.
