Mental Health is how people think, feel, and act as they face their life’s situations. It affects how people handle stress, relate to one another, and make decisions. Mental health influences the ways individuals look at themselves, their lives, and others in their lives. Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life.

All aspects of our lives are affected by our mental health. Caring for and protecting ourselves and our loved ones is an obligation and is critical to our daily lives and independence. When untreated, mental health disorders can lead to school failure, family conflict, drug abuse, violence, and even suicide. Untreated mental health disorders can be very costly to families, communities, and the health care system.

Mental health disorders are more common in young people than many realize. Studies show that at least one in five children and adolescents have a mental health disorder. At least one in ten, or about six million people, have a serious emotional disturbance.

The causes are complicated. Mental health disorders in adolescents are caused mostly by biology and environment. Examples of biological causes include genetics, chemical imbalances in the body, or damage to the central nervous system, such as a head injury. Many environmental factors also put young people at risk for developing mental health disorders. Examples include:
- Exposure to environmental toxins, such as high levels of lead;
- Exposure to violence, such as witnessing or being the victim of physical or sexual abuse, drive-by shootings, muggings, or other disasters;
- Stress related to chronic poverty, discrimination, or other serious hardships; and
- The loss of important people through death, divorce, or broken relationships.

Signs of mental health disorders can signal a need for help. Adolescents with mental health issues need to get help as soon as possible. A variety of signs may point to mental health disorders or serious emotional disturbances in adolescents. Pay attention if an adolescent you know has any warning signs.

Finding the right services is critical. You can do the following: - Get accurate information from hotlines, libraries, and other sources. - Seek referrals from professionals. - Ask questions about treatments and services. - Talk to other families in the community. - Find family network organizations.