Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself — your sense of worth and value. It’s how you see yourself and how you believe others see you. Self-esteem is how much you believe in your own abilities. It can be like a mirror that reflects your thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Confidence, on the other hand, is

Anxiety is a natural human emotion that everyone can experience from time to time. It’s that nervous feeling you get before a big test, a presentation or when something important is happening in your life. For many people, these anxious feelings come and go. But when anxiety becomes overwhelming or is happening too often, it

Depression in teenagers can sometimes be hard to detect, especially when it doesn’t fit the more recognizable patterns of severe sadness or withdrawal. High-functioning depression doesn’t always present with the classic symptoms, such as sadness, hopelessness or a lack of interest in activities. Instead, teens experiencing high-functioning depression may appear to be high-achieving, successful and

Mental health issues in teens are a major concern for today’s society. Teen depression, in particular, affects a large part of the youth population. As of 2024, approximately 20.17% of youth experienced an episode in the past year, according to Mental Health America. Depression is more than just occasional sadness; it’s a mental health condition

Do you remember what kind of clothes you wanted to wear during your adolescent or teen years? Maybe you had to have a certain kind of haircut, shoes, or purse to fit in. Did your friends ever tempt you to buy something or do something that ultimately didn’t seem worth it in the end? Looking

Many parents feel confused and even a bit surprised when they first learn that their adolescent is struggling with depression. Kids can do a good job of masking their symptoms — until they’re overwhelmed. There are many potential causes and risk factors that can contribute to depression symptoms in adolescents. Most often, it’s a combination

It’s not uncommon for adolescents and teens in Middle Tennessee to struggle with their mental health. Children in our state also face barriers to treatment, especially if they live in a rural area or if their insurance doesn’t cover mental health treatments. Nearly a third of children in Tennessee have a mental health diagnosis, and only

While school avoidance is a behavioral problem, it most often has a root cause in a child’s emotional or social experience. They could be struggling with their work or the busy school environment. Or they may be experiencing trauma or anxiety from something that happened to them at school. Other times, it’s stress in a

Mindfulness is the tried-and-true practice of deepening one’s awareness of the present moment to accept thoughts and feelings for what they are. Many adolescents lack the coping and communication skills needed to manage the stress and often overwhelming emotional episodes they experience. For some, this can become the root of mental health challenges like anxiety

Have you ever had a thought pop into your head that you didn’t want or didn’t understand? Do you ever want to stop thinking about something but can’t? The thought might have been something strange, upsetting or completely out of character for you. These kinds of thoughts are called intrusive thoughts. They can be really

Do you lie in bed for hours, unable to fall asleep, or struggle to stay asleep through the night? You’re not alone. Many teens struggle with sleep problems, and while these issues can be related to diet and exercise, sleep environment, screen time or medical conditions, they are often linked to various mental health conditions. Let’s

School is supposed to be a place where adolescents and teens feel safe and supported, but for some, the thought of school and attending classes can be overwhelming. Anxiety disorders are common mental health conditions, which can manifest as feelings of fear, worry and dread. Approximately 32% of U.S. adolescents and teens experience an anxiety