Online counseling offers a convenient, effective and healthy way for teens to navigate their mental health challenges.
With the world now well and truly in a digital age, mental health challenges brought about by increased digitalization have become significantly more prevalent.
One particular demographic affected by this shift is teenagers, who spend an increasingly significant portion of their time online. Whether it’s for school, socializing or entertainment, it’s undeniable that teenagers are the most digitally savvy and online-connected age group in society.
While there are advantages to digital connectivity, it also brings with it numerous new challenges that can negatively impact the mental health of teens, especially if those challenges aren’t properly managed. Things like cyberbullying, social media addiction and the pressure to put forth a curated online persona can all contribute to greater mental health risks and challenges — such as anxiety, depression and issues of low self-esteem.
Given these risks, any parent would see that making their teens’ mental health and well-being a top priority is more crucial than ever before. Online counseling offers a convenient and effective way for teens to navigate their mental health challenges in a healthy way.
In this post, we take a deeper dive into some of the most common mental health issues faced by teens and examine the role of online counseling in helping address these challenges.
Common Mental Health Challenges Faced by Teens
While mental health challenges among teenagers are not exactly a new phenomenon, many of these challenges have been exacerbated by technology and an increasingly online society.
Some of the most common challenges faced by teens include:
Social Media Addiction
Social media addiction in teens is a relatively new but rapidly growing concern in the digital age. Because they are designed to capture and retain attention, many teens often find themselves spending an excessive amount of time on these platforms, often to the point of addiction. Research has also shown that this often comes at the expense of their real-world interpersonal relationships, academic performance and mental health.
As with other types of addiction, many teens also often struggle to recognize and understand the extent of the problem. The seamless integration between social media and the real world has made it increasingly difficult to tell the difference between healthy social media use and addiction.
Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are also both common among teens due to a combination of different factors, including hormonal changes and environmental influences. Adolescence is a time of self-discovery and identity exploration for many teenagers, and the pressure to conform to societal norms and expectations can often lead to feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem among teens.
The digitalization brought about by social media can also worsen these challenges. Social media can lead to a constant need for validation through likes and comments. Coupled with a fear of missing out, this can lead to unrealistic standards imposed by teens on themselves. They may even experience distress if they feel that their posts are not getting the engagement they expect.
Academic Stress and Pressure
Another unique mental health challenge faced by teenagers is academic stress and pressure.
The modern academic environment is one that places a significant emphasis on academic achievement and standardized testing, with long-lasting implications on individuals’ future career prospects. This can lead to high pressure for teens to perform well academically from parents, educators and even themselves, potentially leading to burnout and poor mental health.
The Role of Online Counseling in Supporting Teens
Given the serious and long lasting consequences that poor mental health can have, tackling the issues at their core is essential for teenagers’ well being. Addressing mental health concerns while they’re still at an early stage can have positive outcomes — helping teens avoid these problems from worsening or further developing into their late teen or early adult years.
Online counseling is one of many tools that can be used to support teens in their journey toward mental wellness. With online counseling, licensed mental health professionals can create a safe space for teens to express their feelings and tackle the root cause of any struggles they may be facing using effective and healthy coping strategies.
Compared to traditional counseling or therapy, online counseling is much more accessible and flexible. This can lead to greater receptiveness among teens who may otherwise be hesitant to go for counseling because of the inconvenience or the potential stigma surrounding it.
Choosing the Right Online Counseling Service
Choosing the right online counseling service is essential for ensuring that teens receive the best possible care and support. While there is no one size fits all solution when it comes to this, some factors you can consider to help you choose the right counseling service include:
- Licensing and Qualifications: It is important to ensure that the online counselor you work with is licensed in your state and has the necessary qualifications. For even better targeted support, choose a counselor who has experience or certifications in teen mental health issues.
- Confidentiality and Privacy: Online counseling brings with it a unique challenge when it comes to confidentiality and privacy. Ensure that the online counseling service you opt for uses secure, HIPAA-compliant communication software to protect its patients’ privacy and personal information.
- Convenience: Convenience is one of the key benefits of online counseling over traditional counseling and should also be a top priority when evaluating different online counseling services. Choose one that offers the flexibility you require when it comes to scheduling and method of communication.
Based in PA? Start Online Counseling with Fortified Souls
Based in Pittsburgh, PA, Fortified Souls Counseling is an online provider offering mental health counseling services throughout the Keystone State.
Our team of highly qualified licensed professional counselors (LPCs) and national certified counselors (NCCs) has extensive experience in counseling teens who struggle with a range of mental health issues, ranging from anxiety and depression to trauma related disorders.
We accept most major insurance plans and place an emphasis on privacy and accessibility for our patients, providing our counseling through HIPAA-compliant telehealth appointments. Book a free, no-obligation appointment with us today and get started on your journey towards improved mental health and a healthier relationship with technology in the digital age.
