{"id":309,"date":"2025-10-23T16:50:44","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T16:50:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/?p=309"},"modified":"2025-10-23T16:50:44","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T16:50:44","slug":"healthdirect-australia-teenage-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/healthdirect-australia-teenage-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"HealthDirect (Australia) \u2014 Teenage Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"main_content-body-text\">\n<div class=\"cont_layout-standout\">\n<ul>\n<li>Mental health affects how you are feeling and how you cope in everyday life.<\/li>\n<li>Many different factors, for example family history, stress, bullying and pain can affect your mental health.<\/li>\n<li>It is important for you to have good mental health to feel good about yourself.<\/li>\n<li>You should seek help if your mood or behaviours affect your everyday life.<\/li>\n<li>Eating well, getting enough sleep and physical exercise can help improve your mental health.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<nav class=\"cont_nav-index-table__double-col\">\n<h2>On this page<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/teenage-mental-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com#what-is\">What is mental health?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/teenage-mental-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com#important\">Why is my mental health important?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/teenage-mental-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com#affect\">What can affect my mental health?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/teenage-mental-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com#doctor\">When should I see a doctor?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/teenage-mental-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com#improve\">How can I improve my mental health?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/teenage-mental-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com#resources\">Resources and support<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/teenage-mental-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com#searchGeneralResults\">Related information on Australian websites<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<h2 id=\"what-is\">What is mental health?<\/h2>\n<p>Mental health is a state of wellbeing. Good mental health means:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>feeling well<\/li>\n<li>recognising your abilities<\/li>\n<li>being able to handle life\u2019s usual stresses<\/li>\n<li>being productive<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>When young people have poor mental health, it can be harder for them to live happy and successful lives.<\/p>\n<p>Lots of teenagers and young people struggle with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/mental-health-conditions\">mental health conditions <\/a> such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/depression-in-young-people\">depression<\/a> and anxiety and self-medicate with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/drugs-and-alcohol\">drugs and alcohol<\/a>. Around 1 in every 2 adult mental health disorders start before the age of 14 years.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"important\">Why is my mental health important?<\/h2>\n<p>It is important for you to have good mental health so you can:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>feel confident and capable of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/dealing-with-life-events\">dealing with life<\/a><\/li>\n<li>adapt to change in a healthy way<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/self-esteem\">feel good about yourself<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/emotional-intelligence\">express and manage your emotions appropriately<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/building-and-maintaining-healthy-relationships\">improve your relationships with other people<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If your mental health is poor, life can seem a lot more difficult and you may feel like you are not coping well.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s normal to have ups and downs through the course of your life, and many people have mental health challenges from time to time. But if you feel like life never gets any easier and there is nothing you can do about it, it\u2019s possible that you could be suffering from a mental health disorder.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/mental-illness\">Mental illnesses<\/a>, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/depression\">depression<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/anxiety\">anxiety<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/eating-disorders\">eating disorders<\/a>, have an impact on how you think. Like many other illnesses, they can be effectively treated.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"affect\">What can affect my mental health?<\/h2>\n<p>Common factors that can affect mental health and wellbeing in teenagers include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>your home environment and family relationships<\/li>\n<li>school, work and other activities<\/li>\n<li>relationships with friends<\/li>\n<li>your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/lgbtiq-mental-health\">sexuality and gender identity<\/a><\/li>\n<li>your physical health and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/body-image\">feelings about your body<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/substance-abuse\">alcohol and drug use<\/a><\/li>\n<li>how safe you feel with family, friends and other people in your life<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Teenagers can struggle with a range of issues. You may be more likely to have problems with your mental health if you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/family-medical-history\">family history<\/a> of mental health disorders<\/li>\n<li>are under a lot of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/stress\">stress<\/a><\/li>\n<li>have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/grief-loss\">lost a loved one<\/a><\/li>\n<li>have experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/coping-with-divorce-or-breakup\">relationship breakups<\/a> or problems with friends or family<\/li>\n<li>suffer from physical injury, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/chronic-pain\">pain<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/sleep-disorders\">sleep problems<\/a><\/li>\n<li>have experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/bullying\">bullying<\/a> (including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/cyberbullying\">cyberbullying<\/a>) or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/child-abuse\">abuse<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"doctor\">When should I see a doctor?<\/h2>\n<p>It is important to reach out for support or see your doctor if you feel like your mood or behaviour negatively impacts your day-to-day life.<\/p>\n<p>Many teenagers and young people feel down or upset at times and you may have thoughts such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/loneliness-isolation-mental-health\">I feel alone<\/a>\u2019<\/li>\n<li>\u2018I hate myself\u2019<\/li>\n<li>\u2018I\u2019m being bullied\u2019<\/li>\n<li>\u2018I feel <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/anger-management\">angry<\/a> all the time\u2019<\/li>\n<li>\u2018I\u2019m in an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/domestic-violence-and-abusive-relationships\">abusive relationship<\/a>\u2019<\/li>\n<li>\u2018I\u2019m too fat or skinny\u2019<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you feel you need support or you are just not coping in your daily life, it\u2019s important to seek help. You could speak to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/how-to-talk-about-your-mental-health-concerns\">loved ones<\/a> \u2014 if you feel comfortable<\/li>\n<li>your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/talking-to-your-doctor-gp-about-mental-health\">doctor<\/a><\/li>\n<li>a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/psychiatrists-and-psychologists\">psychologist<\/a><\/li>\n<li>your school counsellor<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You should also seek support if you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/how-alcohol-affects-your-health\">drinking too much<\/a><\/li>\n<li>think you have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/Illicit-drug-use\">drug problem<\/a><\/li>\n<li>are being <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/sexual-assault-and-rape\">sexually abused<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>One of the most serious mental health issues you can have is feeling hopeless, like you want to hurt yourself, or wanting to kill yourself. If you are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/self-harm\">self-harming<\/a> or having <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/are-you-experiencing-suicidal-thoughts\">suicidal thoughts<\/a> it\u2019s very important for you to get help.<\/p>\n<p>Suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 5 to 17 years old in Australia.<\/p>\n<p><strong>If you, or someone you know, is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call triple zero (000). To talk to someone now, call <a href=\"https:\/\/www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab.\">Suicide Call Back Service<\/a> <a href=\"tel:1300659467\">1300 659 467<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifeline.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab.\">Lifeline<\/a> on <a href=\"tel:131114\">13 11 14<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"cont_layout-media-object__icon-standout-right\"><strong>FIND A HEALTH SERVICE<\/strong> \u2014 The <strong class=\"cont_underline\">Service Finder<\/strong> can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"improve\">How can I improve my mental health?<\/h2>\n<p>The good news is that mental health issues for teenagers can usually be managed or treated. The earlier you improve your mental health the better the result. There\u2019s plenty you can do for yourself, and there\u2019s plenty that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/supporting-someone-with-a-mental-illness\">other people can do to help<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Here are some tips to get you started:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/healthy-eating\">Eat well<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Get enough <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/sleep\">sleep<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/exercise-and-mental-health\">Exercise<\/a> regularly.<\/li>\n<li>Talk to an adult you trust if you are feeling sad or anxious.<\/li>\n<li>Cut down on drugs and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/tips-for-safe-drinking\">alcohol<\/a> check in with yourself \u2014 these tend to make things worse, not better.<\/li>\n<li>Learn some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/relaxation-techniques-for-stress-relief\">relaxation techniques<\/a> to help you deal with stress, such as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/mindfulness\">mindfulness<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/meditation\">meditation<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Spend time with others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"cont_layout-media-object__icon-standout-right\"><strong>ASK YOUR DOCTOR<\/strong> \u2014 Preparing for an appointment? Use the <strong class=\"cont_underline\">Question Builder<\/strong> for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"resources\">Resources and support<\/h2>\n<p>If you need someone to talk to, or want to find out more online, here are some organisations that can help:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.blackdoginstitute.org.au\/clearlyme\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab\">ClearlyMe<\/a> is an app designed for teens aged 12 \u2013 17, providing coping strategies and tools to help with negative thinking, low mood and difficulties relaxing.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kidshelp.com.au\/teens\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab\">Kids Helpline<\/a> \u2014 telephone and online counselling for ages 5 to 25, call <a href=\"tel:1800551800\">1800 55 1800<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/headspace.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab\">headspace<\/a> \u2014 online, in-person and phone support for people aged 12 to 25.\n<ul>\n<li>headspace also has mental health information and resources for <a href=\"https:\/\/headspace.org.au\/our-impact\/campaigns\/cultural-identity\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab.\">multicultural young people<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/au.reachout.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab\">ReachOut<\/a> \u2014 youth online mental health service.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sane.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab\">SANE Australia<\/a> \u2014 for people living with a mental illness, call <a href=\"tel:1800187263\">1800 187 263<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.lifeline.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab\">Lifeline<\/a> \u2014 support for anyone having a personal crisis, call <a href=\"tel:131114\">13 11 14<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab\">Suicide Call Back Service<\/a> \u2014 for anyone thinking about suicide, call <a href=\"tel:1300659467\">1300 659 467<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab\">Medicare Mental Health<\/a> \u2014 for advice and to get connected to local mental health services, you can call <a href=\"tel:1800595212\">1800 595 212<\/a>. Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/australian-health-services\/healthcare-service\/virtual\/head-to-health-phone-service\/mental-health-information-and-referral\/bbad2627-ad81-49ae-9917-f5f0faf1be2e\">operating times<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Other languages<\/h3>\n<p>Do you speak a language other than English?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Transcultural Mental Health Centre has many <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dhi.health.nsw.gov.au\/transcultural-mental-health-centre-tmhc\/resources\/multilingual-resources\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab.\">resources about wellbeing and mental health in different languages<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Aboriginal and\/or Torres Strait Islander peoples<\/h3>\n<p>This information has been developed for indigenous communities:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/headspace.org.au\/yarn-safe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab.\">Yarn Safe<\/a> has mental health and wellbeing information.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/wellmob.org.au\/e-health-topics\/mind\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab.\">Wellmob<\/a> has more mental health information and resources.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.13yarn.org.au\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" aria-label=\"Link opens in a new tab.\">13YARN<\/a> provide 24\/7 crisis support over the phone on <a href=\"tel:139276\">13 92 76<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"main_content-article-text-footer\">\n<div>\n<h4>Sources:<\/h4>\n<p>Australian Institute of Health and Welfare <em><a title=\"Australia's youth: Mental illness\" href=\"https:\/\/www.aihw.gov.au\/reports\/children-youth\/mental-illness\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(Australia&#8217;s youth: Mental illness)<\/a><\/em>, Black dog institute <em><a title=\"Child and youth mental health\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blackdoginstitute.org.au\/research-areas\/youth-mental-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(Child and youth mental health)<\/a><\/em>, Kids Helpline <em><a title=\"My child struggles with mental health\" href=\"https:\/\/kidshelpline.com.au\/parents\/issues\/my-child-struggles-mental-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(My child struggles with mental health)<\/a><\/em>, Headspace <em><a title=\"Tips to keep good mental health\" href=\"https:\/\/headspace.org.au\/explore-topics\/for-young-people\/tips-for-a-healthy-headspace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(Tips to keep good mental health)<\/a><\/em>, Emerging minds <em><a title=\"What is infant and child mental health (and why is it important)?\" href=\"https:\/\/emergingminds.com.au\/resources\/what-is-infant-and-child-mental-health-and-why-is-it-important\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(What is infant and child mental health (and why is it important)?)<\/a><\/em>, Black dog institute <em><a title=\"Children's mental health and wellbeing\" href=\"https:\/\/www.blackdoginstitute.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/20210525_Childrens-mental-health-and-wellbeing.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(Children&#8217;s mental health and wellbeing)<\/a><\/em>, Royal Children\u2019s Hospital <em><a title=\"Engaging with and assessing the adolescent patient\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rch.org.au\/clinicalguide\/guideline_index\/engaging_with_and_assessing_the_adolescent_patient\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">(Engaging with and assessing the adolescent patient)<\/a><\/em><\/div>\n<\/footer>\n<p>Learn more here about the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/about-our-content\">development and quality assurance of healthdirect content<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Credit sources from (\u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/teenage-mental-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/teenage-mental-health<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthdirect.gov.au\/teenage-mental-health?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">Healthdirect<\/a>\u201d)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mental health affects how you are feeling and how you cope in everyday life. Many different factors, for example family history, stress, bullying and pain can affect your mental health. It is important for you to have good mental health to feel good about yourself. You should seek help if your mood or behaviours affect [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":91,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-309","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=309"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":310,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/309\/revisions\/310"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=309"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=309"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wordpress.goigi.biz\/teenthreads\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=309"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}