Teen Mental Health
- Filed under "education"
- Published Wednesday, January 29, 2025
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A fascinating study from Finland found that 9th grade youth exposed to peers with mental disorders increases the risk of developing similar conditions at some point in their lives. “Exposure” was defined as having one or more friends or classmates diagnosed with a mental disorder.
Authors related “If mental disorders are transmitted socially via peer networks, the phenomenon could be explained by several mechanisms (including) the normalization of mental disorders through increased awareness, and receptivity to diagnosis and treatment when having (others) with diagnoses in the same peer network.”
The study continued “for some diagnosis categories, such as eating disorders, transmission could also occur through… peer social influence to which adolescents are particularly susceptible. Other disorders, such as depression is more influenced by “direct interpersonal contagion” – such as long-term exposure to a depressed person could lead to the development of depressive symptoms through neural mechanisms of “emotional contagion.”
Additional results of the study include:
- “transmission” risk appeared to be noticeably higher (at least 5%) when multiple classmates had mental disorders
- the risk increased most visibly in the first year after exposure – by up to 9% for those with one diagnosed classmate and by 18% for youth with several diagnosed classmates
- mood, anxiety, and eating disorders were the most strongly linked with increased risk
Although additional studies are ongoing and more research is needed, these findings suggest that mental disorders may be transmitted through adolescent peer groups. What can be done? Parents, teachers, and caregivers should consider peer influences in developing prevention and intervention strategies, according to researchers.
Preventive measures may include early awareness of peer influences, early mental health resources and support, and open conversations about mental health within families, peer groups, and communities can help identify possible problems early on. And asking adolescents about their larger social environment may bring insight – rather than focusing only on whether someone is bullying them or whether they feel sad, it’s an opportunity to inquire about the larger school or social setting.
Chrysalis After-School programs were designed to specifically address the challenges girls face at early adolescence. Programs remain focused on building strength and skills in participants to advocate for themselves, better understand their emotions, and seek support when needed. The program involves a multidisciplinary team of teachers, nonprofit professionals, school counselors and nurses, as well as families and caregivers, all of whom can provide support and encouragement to young girls. Facilitators are also trained to recognize possible symptoms requiring either intervention or referral – isolation, anxiety, depression, fears, or other signs distress can be immediately addressed, including group discussions and educational activities.
In these ways, we intend that Chrysalis After-School programs can provide the education and support needed for girls to develop healthy coping mechanisms, improved communication skills, and knowledge of resources when they need them.
Here are a few resources to share to help parents, friends, and caregivers:
How to Talk to Your Child About Their Mental Health