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Teen Mental Health

It’s tough navigating the world we live in today, especially for teenagers who are transitioning from childhood to adulthood. Understanding adolescent mental health is crucial because it encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

With the rapid changes and growth that come with this stage of life, it’s important to recognize the unique challenges faced by today’s youth.

Adolescent Mental Health Defined

At its core, adolescent mental health pertains to how teenagers think, feel, and behave. It involves their ability to handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.

Positive mental health is essential for teenagers as it helps them build resilience, develop a strong self-image, and lay the foundation for their adult lives. According to a comprehensive survey from 2013 to 2019, mental health for children and adolescents is closely tied to immediate and long-term outcomes in physical health, education, social relationships, and employment opportunities (R. Bitsko et al., 2022, MMWR Supplements).

This definition underscores the continuity of mental health as a journey from wellness to illness, suggesting that mental health issues don’t merely emerge out of nowhere.

They develop over time and are influenced by genetic, biological, environmental, and social factors. These factors can include academic pressures, social media influence, family dynamics, and adolescents’ natural quest for identity.

Surveillance and Understanding

Monitoring trends in adolescent mental health is key to recognizing the prevalence of mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression, which are notably prevalent among U.S. teens. As detailed by Bitsko and colleagues, surveillance efforts aim to increase our understanding of demographic and geographic disparities in mental health, guiding prevention and intervention strategies. Through such diligent monitoring, we can begin to tailor our approaches to meet the unique needs of teenagers, fostering environments that support not just their mental health but their overall development.

An Overview of Definitions

As we discuss mental health during the teenage years, it’s important to understand the difficulties that young people face during this tumultuous period, particularly as it intersects with their developmental milestones.

Like their peers across the country, adolescents in South Florida experience significant physical, emotional, and social changes that can greatly impact their mental well-being.

The teenage brain is rapidly developing, especially in areas responsible for processing emotions, decision-making, and understanding consequences. This developmental phase lays the foundation for mental health, and it’s a time when young people learn to manage stress, build relationships, and develop their identities. However, it’s also a time marked by vulnerability to mental health issues, as the pressures of academic performance, social relationships, and future uncertainties loom large.

Teens are exposed to a unique blend of cultural, social, and environmental factors that can both enrich and challenge their mental health journey. The emphasis on success in the region, coupled with the pressure to fit in and succeed in a multicultural setting, can exacerbate stress, anxiety, and depression among adolescents.

To promote positive mental health during these formative years, we need to recognize the signs of mental health issues early and provide timely support. It requires creating safe spaces for open conversations about mental health, encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, and ensuring that teens have access to mental health resources and support services. In many places, just like South Florida, with its rich tapestry of cultures and communities, this also means offering culturally sensitive and accessible mental health services that address the specific needs of a diverse adolescent population.

By prioritizing mental health education and support, we can empower our teens to navigate the challenges of adolescence with resilience and confidence. Understanding the critical role of mental health in teenage development is the first step toward fostering a supportive environment that enables our youth to thrive emotionally and socially. Let’s work together to ensure that our young people feel heard, understood, and supported during this critical period of their lives.

References

  • Bitsko, R., Claussen, A., Lichstein, J., Lindsey I. Black, Sherry E Jones, M. Danielson, Jennifer Hoenig, Shane P Davis Jack, D. Brody, Shiromani Gyawali, M. Maenner, M. Warner, Kristin M. Holland, R. Perou, A. Crosby, S. Blumberg, S. Avenevoli, J. Kaminski, R. Ghandour, & Leah N. Meyer. (2022). Mental Health Surveillance Among Children — United States, 2013–2019. MMWR Supplements, 71(1), 1-42.
  • Casey, B. (2015). Beyond simple models of self-control to circuit-based accounts of adolescent behavior. Annual Review of Psychology, 66, 295-319.
  • Lu, W. (2019). Adolescent depression: National trends, risk factors, and healthcare disparities. American Journal of Health Behavior, 43(1), 181-194.
  • Nader, L., & Roberto J. González. (2000). The Framing of Teenage Health Care: Organizations, Culture, and Control. Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry, 24(2), 231-258.
  • Paruk, S., & Karim, E. (2016). Update on adolescent mental health. South African Medical Journal, 106(6), 548-550.
  • Patel, V., Flisher, A., Hetrick, S., & McGorry, P. (2007). Mental health of young people: a global public-health challenge. The Lancet, 369(9569), 1302-1313.
  • Rivenbark, J. G., Copeland, W. E., Davisson, E. K., Gassman‐Pines, A., Hoyle, R., Piontak, J., Russell, M., Skinner, A., & Odgers, C. (2019). Perceived Social Status and Mental Health Among Young Adolescents: Evidence From Census Data to Cellphones. Developmental Psychology, 55(3), 574–585.
  • Sarvet, B. (2009). Improving Mental Health Services in Primary Care: Reducing Administrative and Financial Barriers to Access and Collaboration. Pediatrics, 123(4), 1248-1251.
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Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia – Clinical Director (Davie)

Dr. Maria Angelica Mejia’s therapeutic approach is rooted in empathy, resilience-building, and collaboration. As the Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she is dedicated to supporting high-risk teens in navigating trauma, emotional distress, and life’s challenges with a holistic and trauma-informed lens. Dr. Mejia specializes in working with adolescents facing issues such as suicide risk, self-harm, anxiety, depression, and family conflict, utilizing techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and strength-based therapy. With extensive experience in community mental health, private practice, and clinical supervision, Dr. Mejia has a proven track record of empowering teens to overcome obstacles and thrive. She holds a PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy bringing a depth of knowledge and compassion to her leadership role.

Kimberly Geller

Kimberly Geller - Primary Therapist (Davie)

Kimberly is a compassionate and dedicated therapist with a Master’s degree in Social Work from Florida International University. Kimberly creates a nurturing and secure environment where clients can freely explore their emotions and embark on their journey toward healing and growth. Kimberly specializes in client-centered approaches that helps tailor her therapeutic methods to meet unique needs and goals. By fostering a collaborative therapeutic relationship, she empowers clients to develop effective coping skills and achieve meaningful progress in their mental health journey. Kimberly ensures that each person she works with feels understood and valued throughout their therapeutic process.

Zainub Fatta - Therapist (Davie)

Zainub holds a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Nova Southeastern University and has extensive experience treating a wide range of mental health issues in adults, teens, and children. She specializes in treating diverse mental health struggles such as anxiety, depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, social anxiety, anger management, etc. She also has a lot of experience treating addiction and substance abuse problems within various treatment centers. Zainub views mental health from a systemic perspective, emphasizing the significance of how one’s environment and childhood impacts them, which is why she also specializes in family therapy and couples therapy, when it comes to achieving holistic well-being. Passionate about empowering individuals to find their voice, she considers it a privilege to listen to their vulnerable stories and provide the support they need. Her therapeutic approach focuses on uplifting clients by building their confidence and challenging them to break old, negative patterns of thinking and behavior.

Krystine Garay

Krystine Garay – Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Krystine Garay is a licensed mental health counselor, marriage family therapist, and certified telehealth practitioner. Raised in Miami, Florida, and a member of the Hispanic community, she provides services in both English and Spanish. With five years of experience, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, focusing on domestic violence, substance abuse, family conflicts, co-occurring disorders, and mental health issues.
Krystine holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University and a master’s degree with dual specializations in mental health and marriage and family counseling from Barry University. She is pursuing a doctorate in clinical psychology with a concentration in health psychology from Carlos Albizu University.
Her clinical experience includes rotations at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, where she assisted children with co-occurring disorders using mindfulness exercises, cognitive-behavioral strategies, and dialectical-behavioral techniques.
Krystine believes in the power of personal growth and progress, and she is dedicated to fostering positive change in her clients’ lives.

Dr. Jacqueline Pablos – Clinical Director

Vulnerability and connection are at the heart of Dr. Pablos’ therapeutic approach. As the
Clinical Director for Adolescent Wellness Academy, she aims to create a safe space for
clients to embrace their emotions and express their needs in healthier ways. Dr. Pablos
specializes in treating depression, anxiety, body image issues, bullying, eating
disorders, and self-harm behaviors using techniques like CBT, DBT, mindfulness, and
ACT.
With extensive training in hospitals and counseling centers, Dr. Pablos has a strong
background in helping teens and adults with co-occurring mental and physical health
disorders. She holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology, with specialized training
at institutions like Florida International University, Jackson Memorial Hospital,
Clementine Monte Nido, and Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

Kimberly

Kimberly Carlesi – Therapist (Miami)

Kimberly, a dedicated therapist with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health
Counseling from Florida International University, specializes in supporting individuals
with eating disorders, trauma, and substance abuse. She creates a safe, nurturing
environment for her clients’ healing journeys, drawing from diverse therapeutic
modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy. With a
focus on trust and collaboration, Kimberly empowers clients through personalized
interventions, fostering self-awareness and resilience.

Alyssa Mencucci – Therapist (Miami)

Alyssa is a dedicated master’s level clinician specializing in providing compassionate
therapy for adolescents and children facing severe mental health challenges. With a
deep understanding of the developmental stages and psychological needs of
adolescents and children, Alyssa offers expertise in addressing trauma-related issues,
guiding individuals through the complexities of grief, managing anxiety and depression,
navigating personality disorders, and supporting those dealing with PTSD. Alyssa uses
evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, DBT, play therapy,
and trauma-focused interventions to create a safe and nurturing environment for
healing. Alyssa believes in a client-centered approach, tailoring therapy to meet the
unique needs and circumstances of each individual. She creates a safe and nurturing
environment where adolescents and children can explore their emotions, develop
coping skills, and embark on a journey of healing and growth.