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What Percentage of Teens Have Mental Health Issues?

Adolescent mental health is a primary concern in the United States. As we know, the teen years are a crucial period of body and brain growth. When coupled with academic stresses, peer pressure, and added expectations from the family, teenagers have a lot to process and navigate. With these stresses and pressures, it is no surprise that teenagers often have great difficulty in navigating their day-to-day lives. While many teens learn to cope with these pressures in a healthy manner, some have trouble doing so and can develop mental illnesses as a result. This article focuses on what percentage of teens have mental issues. We will discuss why teen mental illness is common and how these issues impact teens now and in the long run. Call Adolescent Wellness Academy toll-free today if your teen is struggling with mental health issues.

Why is Teen Mental Health a Common Problem?

Mental illness is a complex problem that does not have one overarching cause. In reality, teen mental illness can arise from a multitude of factors. A teen’s environment includes a host of risk factors, including the following:
  • Emotional, sexual, or physical abuse
  • Bullying
  • Demands at school or work
  • Dysfunctional home environment
  • Death of a parent or sibling
  • Natural disaster
  • School shooting
  • Low self-esteem
There can also be biological factors that make teens vulnerable to developing mental illness. There can be a family history of mental illness, or teens may have abnormalities or other changes in the brain. Also, mental illness may be the result of a brain injury, major infection, or disease. Additionally, teens who abuse substances are more susceptible in developing a mental illness. It is important to note that having a risk factor or group of risk factors does not mean a teen will develop a mental illness. Instead, the presence of these risk factors may indicate an increased vulnerability to developing such an illness. 

What Percentage of Teens Have Mental Health Issues?

You may be shocked to know that teen mental illness is a common problem in the United States. Some statistics show that 20% of teenagers have a mental illness that has been diagnosed by a professional. Also, it is estimated that between 20-30% of teens will have at least one major depressive episode before they reach adulthood. The Office of Population Affairs provides the following additional statistics on teen mental illness:
  • 32% of teens aged 13-18 experience anxiety
  • 13% of teens aged 13-18 experience depression
  • 9% of 13–18-year-olds will be diagnosed with ADHD.
  • 3% of 13- to 18-year-olds will be diagnosed with an eating disorder
While these statistics are sobering, knowing exactly what percentage of teens have mental issues may be much higher.

How Do Mental Health Issues Affect Teens?

The effects of mental illness on teens include a wide variety of physical and mental ailments. The most common found in teens include the following:
  • Have lost interest in things that they used to enjoy
  • Have low energy
  • Sleep too much or too little, or seem sleepy throughout the day
  • Are spending more and more time alone, and avoid social activities with friends or family
  • Diet or exercise excessively, or fear gaining weight
  • Engage in self-harm behaviors (such as cutting or burning their skin)
  • Smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs
  • Engage in risky or destructive behavior alone or with friends
  • Have thoughts of suicide
  • Have periods of highly elevated energy and activity, and require much less sleep than usual
  • Say that they think someone is trying to control their mind or that they hear things that other people cannot hear.
When teens are struggling with mental illness, family relationships become strained and dysfunctional. Teens with mental illnesses also isolate from family and friends and are frequently tardy from school. Additionally, teens will complain of physical pains associated with their mental illness.

Adolescent Wellness Academy is a Teen Mental Health Treatment Center in South Florida

By learning what percentage of teens have mental health issues, you can become more aware of how serious the issue is. If your teen is fighting a battle with mental illness, now is the time to act. Finding the right professional help will give your teen and your family the tools and support you need to manage mental health and empower your teen to transform into the healthy and happy young person they deserve to be. Adolescent Wellness Academy is a top-tier outpatient mental health and substance abuse facility that gives teens in South Florida a safe and supportive space to address their issues. At Adolescent Wellness Academy, a teen mental health treatment center located in South Florida, we understand the complexities and challenges of guiding our loved ones, especially adolescents, towards recovery from mental health challenges. Recognizing the delicate nature of this journey, we are committed to offering compassionate, specialized care even in situations where individuals may be hesitant to seek help. We are dedicated to providing a supportive environment that fosters healing and growth through our tailored programs:
  • Day Therapeutic Program: A structured daytime treatment offering therapeutic support and education that integrates seamlessly with the adolescent’s daily life.
  • After-School Program: An innovative approach that provides therapeutic activities and supports post-school hours, allowing teens to continue their education while receiving the care they need.
When you join our therapy or afterschool programs, you enter a caring and non-judgmental community. This support network involves teens, their families, peers, and our team. Our team of clinicians, alumni, and other parents are here to offer invaluable assistance. Parent Support Groups (PSG) and assessments ensure that the support is tailored to each family’s needs. Contact us today for more information about teen mental health at 1-866-548-8677 or visit our locations in Miami-Dade and Broward.

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Ornella Barille - Therapist (Davie)

Ornella is a Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern and holds a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Nova Southeastern University. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and has extensive experience working with diverse populations, including children, families, and young adults. Ornella has worked in both K-12 schools and at the college level, where she has developed a strong commitment to helping adolescents thrive by supporting their personal and academic growth and empowering them to reach their full potential.

Her therapeutic approach centers on creating a safe and welcoming environment where clients can feel comfortable exploring their needs and expressing themselves authentically. Ornella utilizes a blend of mindfulness, existential therapy, and cognitive-behavioral techniques to empower clients in navigating life’s challenges.

Ornella’s compassionate approach fosters self-awareness and encourages clients to build effective coping strategies to achieve their therapeutic goals.

Jamie Namer - Therapist (Davie)

Jamie specializes in Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) guiding individuals and families toward healthier, more fulfilling lives. With a focus on positivity, self-growth, and holistic healing, Jamie integrates spiritual perspectives and deep empathy into the therapeutic process. Using solution-based methods and emotionally focused therapy, Jamie helps clients navigate past trauma, enhance self-discovery, and strengthen relationships.

Jamie’s approach combines therapeutic techniques with mind-body healing practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and visualization. Experienced in working with children, adolescents, adults, families, and groups, Jamie specializes in addressing issues like anxiety, grief, self-confidence, burnout, family dynamics, depression, PTSD, and life transitions. The goal is to promote overall well-being and support clients in living a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

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.

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.

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.