Research on Teen Mental Health and Its Impact on the Economy

A study published in PLOS Medicine looked at how mental health problems in teenagers can affect their jobs, income, and health later in life. Researchers used data from teens who were 15 to 17 years old in the year 2000 and followed them for about 10 years.

They used special computer programs to study how mental health struggles connected to things like family background, school, and neighborhood. The study found that teens with serious mental health problems were less likely to have jobs and earned about $5,658 less per year by the time they were 30.

To see how mental health care might help, researchers imagined a policy that gave more teens access to mental health support. Their model showed that if just 10% of at-risk teens got help, the U.S. government could save $52 billion over 10 years because more people would be working and earning money.

Even though the study had some limits, it still shows that helping teens with mental health may lead to big benefits for both individuals and the economy.

Understanding the Research

This study looks at a missing piece in government budgets — how teen mental health policies can help the economy in the long run. It used information from a long-term survey (NLSY97) that followed young people from their teenage years into adulthood.

Teenagers’ mental health was assessed using a short questionnaire (MHI-5). Those with high distress (scores of 3 or less) were compared to those with lower distress.

The study looked at 5 main areas:

• Work - Whether they had a job, how many weeks they worked, and how many hours they worked.
• Income - Their earnings and savings at age 30.
• Education - Whether they finished high school, college, or more.
• Health - Their overall health and mental health as adults.
• Health Insurance - Whether they had private insurance or government-funded insurance (Medicaid/Medicare).

These were the main findings:

• Teens with higher psychological distress were less likely to finish school, earn as much money, or stay employed as adults.
• They also reported worse physical and mental health later on.
• Many ended up relying on government-funded health insurance.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

Supporting teen mental health isn’t just good for them. It can also benefit the economy in the long run. Here are ways parents and caregivers can help:

Let your teen know they can open up to you

Some teenagers hesitate to talk about their emotions because they fear being misunderstood or judged. On the other hand, when they know they can talk to you without fear, they’re more likely to approach you for emotional support.

It’s good to have “casual check-ins” where natural conversations take place. For example, you might casually ask how their day was while driving home, cooking dinner together, or taking a walk.

Teach them simple coping skills to deal with difficult feelings

Life can be stressful for teenagers. Good coping strategies allow them to manage frustration without shutting down or engaging in negative behaviors. One helpful strategy is deep breathing — taking slow, deep breaths to calm their body and mind.

Journaling is another great tool. Writing about their feelings can help teens process emotions and find solutions to their problems. Allow them to keep a journal where they can express their thoughts freely.

If writing isn’t their thing, they might enjoy drawing, playing music, or other creative outlets.

Promote a balanced lifestyle

This means encouraging healthy habits in key areas of their daily lives — sleep, nutrition, exercise, screen time, and social interactions. Balance in these areas helps teens handle stress better!

Here’s what a balanced lifestyle looks like:

• Getting adequate sleep (8-10 hours per night)
• Eating a diet that’s rich in whole foods, like fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, and protein
• Exercising to release endorphins, which boost mood and self-confidence
• Following screen time limits or avoiding too much social media
• Doing activities they enjoy and maintaining friendships that are supportive 

According to the authors, better budget analysis may help the government invest more in teen mental health and tackle the current youth mental health crisis in the U.S.

Supporting your teen’s mental health today can lead to a brighter future for them… and for society as a whole. Check out our Worksheet Collections and our Free Mental Health Screening Tools.