During the current situation, there’s so much uncertainty in the air. Supporting teenagers and children has never been more important than it is now. Teenagers are going through a very critical phase of development that’s hard on them at the best of times. 

Social problems are a normal byproduct of becoming an adult. Problems such as depression, alcohol use and bullying have always haunted teenagers. But now they have the added pressure of the rolling lockdowns and vast swathes of time where they’ve been isolated from their peers. 

The consequences of social isolation on children and adolescents cannot be underestimated. Humans are inherently social creatures and as such, the limited interaction that people have faced can have devastating effects on their mental and physical wellbeing. 

In January 2021 children’s commissioner, Anne Longfield sounded the alarm. Saying that young people’s mental health services were “unable to meet the demand.”

In this article, we’ll explore social isolation and mental health problems in adolescents aged 13 to 19 years of age. Focusing on evidence-based science, as well as steps that you can take to support your teen’s wellbeing. 

The Issue? The Sheer Lack of Support

In modern society, we’ve been accustomed to leaning on each other for support. This may be at the local gym, going out for lunch or spending time with friends and family. Many of these activities have been abruptly stopped since 2019. Leaving a gaping hole that’s left the most resilient of us lost for words. Not only that, the systemic division that we’ve seen online and in the media has torn many relationships apart. This may seem trivial for some, but we’re holistic beings and have several needs that must be met. 

The Human Givens Institute (HGI) has discovered that “having meaning and purpose, a sense of volition and control, being needed by others, having intimate connections and wider social connections, status, appropriate giving and receiving of attention etc, are crucial for health and well-being.” As you can clearly see, most, if not all of these aspects of life were crushed over the past year or so. Resulting in many teens suffering from diseases of despair, like anxiety, depression and even suicide. Knowing how to support your teen during this unusual time is now vital for parents and caregivers. 

Social Isolation and Loneliness

Humans are inherently social beings and impaired social relationships can lead to loneliness. The outcome of social isolation is devastating. In 2017 one in nine children were diagnosed with a probable mental health disorder. In 2020 this increased to one in six children aged five to sixteen! Young men have always struggled with mental health issues, often behind the scenes. In part due to societal norms. The fact that 13.3% of males aged 17 to 22 are said to have a probable mental health condition, compared to 27.2% of young women could be due to males keeping quiet. 

Depressive symptoms are higher in adolescents without close friends. In one Norwegian study of 4227 adolescents aged 13-19, researchers found that more than one in three girls without a close friend experienced depressive symptoms. Loneliness can lead to both psychiatric and physical disorders such as depression or rheumatoid arthritis. 

Awareness in Action

Parents must become astutely aware of how their actions affect their children. As we’ve been spending more time at home, the actions of parents have become increasingly important. 63% of 11 to 16-year-old girls with a probable mental disorder say that they’ve heard an argument among adults at home. In a recent article, entitled “Harsh parenting & yelling at children have similar adverse effects to ‘serious abuse’ and stunt brain development, researchers say,” Dr Sabrina Suffren, the lead author discusses the long-lasting damage that getting angry, yelling, hitting or shaking children has.  

Dr Suffren states “I think what’s important is for parents and society to understand that the frequent use of harsh parenting practices can harm a child’s development. We’re talking about their social and emotional development, as well as their brain development.” Physically speaking, children who have suffered from abuse have smaller prefrontal cortexes and amygdalae. These areas of the brain are essential for emotional regulation and disruption in these areas of the brain can lead to people developing anxiety and depression later in life. 

What to Do If You Think Your Teen Has a Mental Illness

Unlike physical ailments, mental illnesses can be hard to spot and can go undiagnosed or untreated for years. Seeking help is still taboo for many due to horror stories of the past, and social stigma. Nobody wants their kids to be labelled “crazy.” Increased isolation is a clear warning sign of an underlying mental health condition. Yet for the past few years, many teens have been forced into social isolation. Further enhancing the probability of developing a mental illness. 

Hormonal changes and mood swings can be normal in teenagers. However, it’s important to look out for other common warning signs and seek professional help if you feel that there is an issue. Stress can also be a contributing factor in developing a mental illness. Stress can come from a variety of sources, but with the increasing prevalence of digital media and uncertainty of the future, stress has reached epidemic proportions.  If you’ve noticed a change in your child’s eating habits, sleep schedule or mood, then it’s a good time to reach out and ask for help from your primary physician or professional. 

The Bottom Line

Adolescence is a time that’s normally filled with social events, relationships and activities. But for the past few years, teen’s have been unable to act as they would normally. This can lead to feelings of despair, stress or isolation. It’s important to keep an eye on your child’s mood, habits and general behaviour to find out if they might be suffering. We have a list of natural health practitioners that you can speak to if you don’t want to go straight to the NHS. In either case, it’s important to seek help early on so that you can help your teenager get through this trying time.

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