It’s well established that teenage girls mental health is a serious issue, but there are ways to help them deal with it. Stress, depression and anxiety manifests itself in adolescents and it has found that social media can contribute to mental health issues. However there are possible solutions. One of those methods is dance classes. Studies show that dancing can decrease stress, improve self-esteem and even prevent depression in teens.
Mental illness Can manifest by the age of 14
Did you know that half of all mental illness manifests by the age of 14? That’s right: half of all mental illnesses begin as early as a teenager. Teenage girls mental health can be helped if caught early.
teenage girls mental health statistics
It’s not just depression either. There are many other forms of mental health issues that can affect teens, such as eating disorders and substance abuse. According to National Alliance on Mental Health, 1 in 5 teens suffer from some form of anxiety disorder which is defined by excessive worry or fear that prevents them from leading an ordinary life.
The good news is that these issues are easily treatable with a combination of medications and therapy (which we will discuss later). However, before you can get treatment for your teen daughter she must first recognize there is a problem so she can seek help on her own!
It’s not surprising that teenage girls are struggling with mental health
According to a 2015 report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one in five women aged between 16 and 24 had experienced an anxiety disorder at some point in their lifetime. And while these statistics do not account for other mental health issues such as depression or eating disorders, they still show that there is a significant proportion of Australian teens who are affected by poor mental health.
In recent years, however, we’ve seen a rise in interest surrounding the topic of adolescent girls’ self-esteem and body image. The media buzz around this issue has led many parents to question whether dance classes could help improve their daughters’ confidence levels by helping them feel more comfortable with their bodies and increase self-acceptance—a key component when addressing the problem of poor body image among teenage girls.
One in five teenage girls is depressed and one in three is anxious or suffering from stress
One study found that one in five teenage girls is depressed and one in three is anxious or suffering from stress. This emphasizes the importance of recognizing depression and anxiety, as well as learning to manage it. Depression and anxiety are some of the most common mental illnesses in adolescents, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Depression can have many causes, including genetics, traumatic life events and substance abuse. Anxiety disorders can also be brought on by these things, along with other factors such as family history or environmental influences like growing up in an abusive household.
Social media seems to be a particular problem for girls
There are many causes for mental illness in teens, but social media seems to be a particular problem for girls. They are more likely to use social media than boys and they tend to spend more time on it. Social media can lead to stress and anxiety from the pressure of being “perfect” or very popular on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and Twitter. It can also be a source of bullying or cyberbullying if someone posts something about you that upsets you or others respond negatively. And all these things can lead to depression, which may result in self-esteem issues as well as feelings of sadness or unhappiness
Three hours or more a day on social media have more than double the risk of suffering depression
In addition to being a great way to stay connected with friends, social media is also a common cause of anxiety in teenagers. A 2016 study from the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University found that social media use among teenage girls causes depression and poor sleep quality. The study surveyed 1,787 girls between the ages of 14 and 18 about their use of Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. The results showed that those who spent three hours or more per day on social media had more than double the risk of suffering depression compared with those who spent less time online.
Adolescents who are active online report feeling more isolated and are more likely to develop mental illness
Another study found that adolescents who are active online report feeling more isolated and are more likely to develop mental illness. It also showed that students who spent more time on social media were at a higher risk of suffering from depression and anxiety, even if they didn’t post anything negative.
The researchers concluded: “Our findings indicate important links between adolescent screen use, feelings of isolation and increased risk for depression or anxiety in the future.”
Dance lessons can help keep teenage girls mentally healthy
There is a lot of research that shows dance can help with mental health. In fact, there are several studies that show dance can combat anxiety and stress, making it an ideal way to keep teenage girls mentally healthy.
Dancing is also a great way for teens to get exercise, learn about themselves and express themselves creatively. It may be hard for some teens to find the motivation or energy to go outside after school every day. Dance classes give them a chance to work out without feeling like they’re working out! They’ll have fun while doing it too!
Final Thoughts on Teenage Girls Mental Health
One study found that teenage girls who participated in dance classes three times a week for four weeks reported less stress, anxiety and depression. The authors also noted that these benefits lasted for at least six months after the study was concluded. This is great news for all teenage girls mental health, especially those suffering from mental illness.
