By Andrea Stevens
AFRO Staff Writer
astevens@afro.com
Teen mental health has been in the national attention as more emotionally aware parents take a thoughtful approach to support. Though teens may be young, their emotional struggles–if ignored–can lead to severe consequences.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Brittany Williams and her 13-year-old daughter, Peyton Griffin, shared their experiences of navigating daily mental health challenges and recognizing warning signs.
Peyton said she first started to take note of her mental health challenges in elementary school.
“In third or fourth grade, I started realizing not every day was sunshine and rainbows,” Peyton said. “I could feel the difference between a good day and a bad one—and sadness became more familiar.”
The National Institute of Health states “depression among Black adolescents often goes untreated, and lack of treatment engagement is a factor. Nationally, about half of adolescents with depressive disorders never receive mental health treatment for depression.”
Latica Lamar, CEO of Goodness and Mercy, a mental health organization, works closely with teens in Baltimore. Lamar is a trauma-informed cognitive behavioral therapist and youth mental health advocate. She highlighted the varied signs of depression in teens.
“Depression in teens doesn’t always look the same,” Lamar said. “It might show up as skipping school, staying in bed, constant irritability, or physical complaints like stomachaches. Even joking about death should never be dismissed.”
Brittany Williams first noticed changes in her daughter Peyton’s mental health around age 11, as puberty began. What followed was a path filled with uncertainty and a strong commitment to supporting her child’s well-being while maintaining her own.
“It was difficult not knowing how to help your child—if what you’re telling them is even the right thing—can be overwhelming. And sometimes, it triggers your own mental health issues too,” Williams said. “I not only have my child in therapy, but I also am in therapy myself.”
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that “one in seven 10- to 19-year-olds experiences a mental disorder, accounting for 15 percent of the global burden of disease in this age group. Additionally, suicide is the third leading cause of death among those aged 15 to 29.”
“After a suicide awareness assembly, I opened up to my school counselor,” Peyton shared. “The way she looked at me—with compassion, not judgment—led to me getting the help I needed. That moment changed everything.”
Williams encourages other parents to listen without judgment and validate their child’s experiences. She emphasizes the importance of responding with empathy, regardless of how small or confusing the concern might seem.
“As a parent, it’s not about you. It’s about how they feel, their perception, their understanding of the situation,” Williams said. “All feelings are valid. Listen when they share and also take it seriously.”
Early support, open dialogue and access to care are key to helping teens navigate mental health challenges. With compassion and awareness, families and communities can make a lasting impact. Peyton told the AFRO using her creative gifts helps her mental health.
“When I feel sad, I turn to art. Watercolors, drawing—it helps me feel like myself again. It’s my way of coping, of creating peace in the chaos,” said Peyton.
When it comes to treatment for depression in teens, the National Institute of Mental Health recommends the following:
- Talk to a trusted adult (such as your parent or guardian, teacher, or school counselor) about how you’ve been feeling.
- Ask your doctor about options for professional help. Depression can be treated with psychotherapy (also called “talk therapy”), medication, or a combination of medication and talk therapy.
- Try to spend time with friends or family, even if you don’t feel like you want to.
- Stay active and exercise, even if it’s just going for a walk. Physical activity releases chemicals, such as endorphins, in your brain that can help you feel better.
- Try to keep a regular sleep schedule.
- Eat healthy foods.
Though she is years away from taking on the stressors of adulthood, Peyton said she wants to advocate for youth who might be suffering mentally and emotionally even in their adolescent years.
“I wish more adults understood this isn’t made up,” she said “Depression can take the happiness and life out of people my age. It’s heartbreaking when parents think, ‘Not my child’—but it often is.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org . In life-threatening situations, call 911.