Teens and Mental Health: How to Help Young People Supporting Their Peers
The Mental Health Crisis Among Canadian Youth
Recent studies across Canada reveal that approximately 1.25 million youth between the ages of 16 and 24 are in need of mental health support. Among the most commonly reported mental health concerns in this age group are eating disorders, substance use, mood disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). In younger children, anxiety remains the most prevalent issue (Cooper, Mellis & Mental Health Research Canada, 2024). While the volume of data can feel overwhelming, having accurate information is crucial to ensuring that the right supports are in place for those who need them most.
When a Teen Becomes the Go-To Support
In a recent conversation with a young client of mine, she opened up about the experience of supporting several friends at school who are struggling with their mental health. She shared that she has become a natural support for them - someone who listens with compassion and shows empathy whenever they reach out. While she wants to be there for them, she now finds herself feeling overwhelmed, unsure of how to adequately help.
She told me that she’s aware of the resources available: she’s seen mental health documentaries at school, knows teachers are there to help, understands the importance of support lines and booking appointments with professionals. Yet, when someone she cares about opens up to her in the moment, she freezes and is unsure of what to say or how to respond.
This raised an important question for me: What can we do to support young people who are supporting others?
The Hidden Struggle of Mental Health Supporters
Today, as professionals, parents, or friends, we have access to endless online resources. We can read articles, follow recommendations, and study theories that deepen our understanding of mental health. But most of these resources are geared towards those experiencing a mental health challenge or seeking care, rather than the people quietly standing beside them.
We often overlook the emotional toll on the supporters - the friends, siblings, and family members who do not have a diagnosis themselves but who carry the weight of worry and love for those who do. Think of the teenager who spends their day being a shoulder to cry on, only to go home feeling helpless and emotionally drained.
How to Support Teens Supporting Their Friends' Mental Health
1. Create safe spaces for honest conversations
As professionals, we can begin by creating safe spaces where young people feel heard. Let them express their fears, questions, and uncertainties without fear of judgment. Help them recognize their own strengths and give them tools to better understand the complexities of what their friends are facing.
2. Teach emotional literacy and practical tools
Offer psychoeducation early - not just information, but practice. Role-play real conversations. Teach them how to listen with presence and respond with care.
3. Normalize talking about mental health
Most importantly, we need to break the silence. Talking openly with children, teens, parents, and colleagues about mental health should never be off limits. Respect doesn’t mean avoidance.
4. Be an observant, active listener
Regularly check in with those around you. Pay attention to changes in mood or behaviour. Be present. Be curious. Everything could be a quiet call for help. As parents and caregivers, it’s just as important to trust your instincts. If something feels off, lean in. Listen without interrupting or jumping to fix.
5. Encourage help-seeking behaviours
Often, the first step is simply not hiding these challenges. This can look like reaching out to your community, professionals, schools, or spiritual groups for collective support.
Youth Mental Health Support Starts with Awareness
Each year, health - and mental health in particular - is becoming more central in our lives and communities. Though statistics show rising mental health concerns, we are also seeing more resources and supports than ever before. There is hope.
Everyone deserves to be seen and heard. I encourage you to be empathetic, aware, and present. A smile, a listening ear, or a kind glance can be a refuge for someone who doesn’t know how to ask for help.
References:
Cooper, A., Mellis, S. & Mental Health Research Canada MHRC (2024, October). A Generation at Risk:
The State of Youth Mental Health in Canada. https://www.mhrc.ca/youth-mental-health. https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f31a311d93d0f2e28aaf04a/t/67072798e0ad9021bcf0527c/1728522141621/EN+-+A+Generation+at+Risk+The+State+of+Youth+Mental+Health+in+Canada.pdf