What are the signs of poor mental health in 16-year-olds?

Signs of poor mental health in 16-year-olds mainly include severe mood swings, social withdrawal and isolation, abnormal learning behaviors, unusual conduct, and distorted self-perception. These issues require timely attention and intervention to prevent negative impacts on physical and psychological development. If these symptoms persist for more than one month and significantly affect daily life, medical help should be sought promptly.

1. Severe mood swings: Frequent anxiety, irritability, or depression; prone to intense emotional outbursts over minor issues, or experiencing prolonged low mood and loss of interest in activities, indicating a clear deficiency in emotional regulation.

2. Social withdrawal and isolation: Reluctance to communicate with peers or family members, deliberate avoidance of social situations, distancing from former friends, preference for solitude, and rejection of others' attempts to get close, leading to gradually deteriorating social relationships.

3. Abnormal learning behavior: Noticeable decline in motivation to study, difficulty concentrating, sudden significant drop in academic performance, developing resistance toward learning, or even exhibiting truancy and school refusal.

4. Unusual behavior: Engaging in unhealthy habits such as staying up late, excessive internet use, binge eating, or extreme dieting. Some may also show lying, stealing, or property damage—behaviors markedly different from their previous patterns.

5. Distorted self-perception: Excessive self-deprecation, persistent self-criticism, blaming others frequently, doubting one's own worth, or displaying unwarranted arrogance, defiance, and impulsive behavior, lacking accurate self-awareness.

Offer understanding and companionship, avoid lecturing or blaming, encourage participation in enjoyable activities, guide healthy emotional expression, and foster an inclusive family and school environment to help build a positive mental state.