Recognize World Teen Mental Wellness Day on March 2

Teens, with all of the challenges and changes going on in their lives, are as susceptible to mental illness as anyone else. Stigma sometimes surrounds mental health, and as a result, many people, including teens, are often reluctant to seek help.

March 2 is World Teen Mental Wellness Day which and is designated to help teens to talk about mental illness and get help if they need it.

According to the National Association of Mental Health, one in six teens live with a mental health condition that can include, eating disorder, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic attacks, and depression, according to online sources.

Roughly half of mental illnesses begin as teenagers reach 14, but many of those teens are not diagnosed and do not receive the medical attention, according to sustainrecovery.com.

Observing World Teen Mental Wellness Day is meant to encourage teens to reach out for help by talking to friends, family, teachers, guidance counselors, licensed counselors and mental health professionals, according to nationaldaycalendar.com.

Parents of teenagers who might be dealing with mental health conditions are encouraged to seek help from their primary care physician who can refer them to a mental health professional who can help them and their teen understand what is happening.