Three-quarters of parents in a new national poll think peers better understand teen challenges including depression and anxiety, compared to teachers or counsellors in the school. The majority also agree that peer support leaders at school would encourage more teens to talk with someone about their mental health problems.
These are findings to C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health at Michigan Medicine.
“Peers may provide valuable support for fellow teens struggling with emotional issues because they can relate to each other,” says Mott Poll Co-Director Sarah Clark, M.P.H.
“Some teens may worry that their parents will overreact or not understand what they’re going through. Teachers and school counsellors may also have limited time to talk with students in the middle of other responsibilities.”
Previous research suggests that as many as half of children and teens who have at least one treatable mental health disorder may not receive treatment due to several barriers.
But teens who don’t have a diagnosed condition may still experience occasional problems with emotions, peer and family relationships, anxiety, academic challenges, substance abuse or other issues negatively impacting self-esteem.
These type of situations may increase risk of developing or triggering depression during tween and teen years, experts say.
Some schools have instituted peer support leaders to give teens safe channels to share problems. Teens who serve as mentors in these programs are trained with oversight from teachers, counselors or mental health professionals. They are available to talk with their fellow students on a walk-in basis at a designated place at school or by referral from school staff. (ANI)
