If your child is having a mental health crisis—including suicidal talks or behaviors, threats of harm to others, hallucinations, or an overdose—go to the nearest ER or call 911 immediately.
Mental Health Treatment Program for Teens in Minnesota
Adolescent Mental Health
Increasing numbers of adolescents ages 12–18 are experiencing teen mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and suicidal behaviors. Nearly 90% of Gen Z report struggling daily with their mental health. Additionally, about 13% of US teens report serious thoughts of suicide—with much higher rates among LGBTQ+ youth, people of color, and girls.
These statistics are deeply concerning. Figuring out how to support your child’s safety, happiness, and well-being can feel overwhelming for parents. However, understanding common teen mental health disorders and available treatment options can equip you with the knowledge you need to advocate for your child’s mental wellness and improve their long-term health outcomes.
Signs and Symptoms of Poor Mental Health for Teens
It’s normal for teenagers to experience behavioral changes, such as moodiness, newfound independence, and withdrawal from parents/caregivers to spend more time with their friends. Teenagers’ brains are still developing. As a result, their behaviors and hormones fluctuate more rapidly than those of adults.
So, how can parents tell whether their teen is undergoing typical adolescent changes or needs professional help? Here are 10 signs of poor mental health in teens to watch for:
- Drastic changes in levels of anger, irritability, social behavior, or sadness
- Excessive worry, dread, or fear
- Substance use
- Suspected self-harm or signs of self-harm (e.g., burn marks or cuts)
- Aggression or violence toward people or animals
- A decrease in self-care practices, such as basic hygiene
- Sleep problems, including fatigue, inability to fall asleep, sleeping too much, or having nightmares
- Grief and sadness
- Unexplained health problems, including pain, headaches, and GI issues
When to Seek Help for Teen Mental Health
Seek help from a mental health professional for your teen if these symptoms persist for more than a few weeks or if they continue to worsen over time. Early intervention has been proven to reduce severe symptoms and even prevent a mental health crisis.
If your teen is having a mental health emergency, seek professional help immediately. Go to the nearest ER or call 911 if your child is experiencing any of the following behaviors:
- Suicidal behaviors, attempts, or discussions
- Threats to hurt others
- Hallucinations or delusions
- Substance overdose
Get Help for Your Teen Right Away
We understand how difficult it can be when you or a loved one is experiencing emergency mental health symptoms. We created the Family First admissions process so families don’t have to wait for hours in the ER. Instead, parents and patients over 18 can call our team at 952-826-8424 to facilitate immediate treatment at our hospital for patients 35 and under.
What Are Common Teen Mental Health Disorders?
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the most common teen mental health disorders include anxiety, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and eating disorders.
Anxiety
Anxiety impacts 32% of teens, with higher rates for girls and femme-presenting teens. Anxiety includes disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder, phobias, panic disorder, and social anxiety. Factors such as genetics, life stressors, and traumatic events contribute to anxiety. And anxiety can also lead to secondary mental health problems, such as depression, substance use, or eating disorders.
Depression
Around 20% of teens suffer from depressive disorders. Depression symptoms in teens include irritability, withdrawal, spending time alome in their bedroom, increased social media use, and lack of interest in their hobbies. Depression results in higher rates of self-harm, including cutting and suicidal behaviors, as well as substance use disorders.
ADHD
ADHD is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder that has increased in prevalence for teens and adults in recent years. Impacting nearly 10% of teens, ADHD impairs emotional regulation, academic performance, relationships, and behavior. Moreover, it causes difficulties with attention, memory, and organization. In addition, ADHD frequently co-occurs with anxiety.
Learn more about ADHD and other neurodevelopmental disorders in teens.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders such as bulimia, anorexia, and binge eating disorder impact 3% of teens nationwide. However, many more teens struggle with disordered eating—unhealthy eating patterns that don’t reach the level of a full-blown disorder. Disordered eating and eating disorders usually occur alongside other disorders, like anxiety, depression, or trauma.
While the above four disorders are the most prevalent among teens, other less common mental health disorders can negatively impact a teen’s quality of life. Behavioral disorders, PTSD, substance use disorder, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders all impair a teen’s ability to function. Left untreated, they can lead to difficulties with family, school, socializing, and engaging in the community.
Teen Mental Health Treatment in Minnesota
The best way to help your teen if they’re showing signs of mental health issues is to seek professional help.
At PrairieCare, we believe that mental illness is real, common, and treatable. From manageable symptoms to complex mental health conditions, we provide individuals of all ages with the psychiatric care they need. PrairieCare is one of Minnesota’s leading providers of comprehensive psychiatric services to the Twin Cities, Rochester, and Mankato.
Our Approach to Addressing Teen Mental Health Disorders
PrairieCare’s Minnesota programs and services span the full continuum of care, carefully considering each patient’s unique history, life stages, and needs. Our accredited healthcare clinicians are highly experienced in supporting patients of all ages and their families to have the mental treatment they deserve.
We treat the following teen mental health disorders at our locations throughout Minnesota:
- Eating Disorders
- Neurodevelopmental Disorders, including ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- Personality Disorders
Our Levels of Care for Teen Mental Health in MN
We offer the following services in the Twin Cities and Southern Minnesota: inpatient hospitalization, residential treatment, and outpatient care.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): PrairieCare’sIntensive Outpatient Program (IOP) runs five days a week with partial daily programming after school. This level of care is ideal for teens whose mental health symptoms interfere with their daily lives and need more than weekly therapy and medication management. In IOP, teens can still maintain their daily activities and routines.
- Inpatient Hospitalization Program: Our inpatient hospitalization program is for teens who have acute needs and severe mental health symptoms. This level of care provides 24/7 safety and stabilization in a hospital setting for young people following a mental health crisis.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): Our (PHP) provides full-day therapeutic and academic programming, five days a week. Focused on assessment and symptom stabilization, PHP is designed for teens whose mental health symptoms interfere significantly with their daily lives. These adolescents need more support than an IOP can provide, but don’t require 24/7 supervision and safety.
- Residential Treatment Program: Adolescent residential treatment provides round-the-clock care for teens with intensive and complex mental health conditions. With an average stay of three months, this program offers daily life skills, academics, and therapeutic sessions for teens.
What Our Teen Treatment Programs in Minnesota Include
PrairieCare’s comprehensive care options ensure that your family receives the support you need. Our program components include evaluation, specialized psychotherapy, psychiatry, and recreational therapy. Our multidisciplinary treatment approach is tailored to the needs of each individual and may include the following:
- Psychiatric care, including medication management
- Individual therapy
- Group therapy
- Family therapy
- Play therapy
- Art therapy
Our Twin Cities Mental Health Facilities for Teens
PrairieCare has various levels of care in the Twin Cities and Southern Minnesota to support young people’s mental health. We pride ourselves in creating a comfortable and healing environment for patients and their families.
With our full continuum of mental health services, teenagers and their families don’t have to wait to get comprehensive treatment in Minnesota. Mental health services for teens in the Twin Cities and Southern Minnesota:
- Brooklyn Park Inpatient Hospital
- Brooklyn Park Medical Office Building
- Edina
- Maple Grove
- Maplewood
- Mankato
- Minneapolis
- Rochester
Access a Complimentary Care Questionnaire for Your Teen
PrairieCare offers a complimentary care questionnaire for anyone seeking mental health services. Call 952-826-8475 any day or time to connect with one of our trained team members. Our experts will assist you and your teen through the questionnaire process and recommend the most suitable level of care for their needs. The assessment team helps you understand your options, schedule appointments, and take the necessary steps to access life-changing mental health are.
To request a care questionnaire, you can also fill out a short form, and our team will contact you within one business day to get started.
About PrairieCare
At PrairieCare, we believe that mental illness is real, common, and treatable. We provide individuals of all ages with the psychiatric care they truly need. PrairieCare is one of the nation’s largest providers of premier psychiatric services to the Twin Cities metro area, Rochester, and Mankato.
PrairieCare’s Minnesota programs and services span the full continuum of care, with the understanding that each patient has unique experiences, life stages, and needs. Our clinicians are accredited and highly experienced in supporting patients of all ages with a wide variety of diagnoses.
FAQs
What do you do when your child is having a mental health crisis?
When should a parent seek help for their child for mental health?
If your child is having ongoing mental health symptoms that seem concerning and have lasted longer than a couple of weeks, seek professional help. Depending on the severity of symptoms, recommended treatment may include clinic or outpatient therapy, medication management, a residential program, or hospitalization.
What are 5 symptoms that a child may have a mental health disorder?
Five symptoms that indicate a teen may have a mental health disorder include high levels of anger, aggression, irritability, sadness, worry, or fear; signs of self-harm, such as unexplained cuts or bruises; substance use; difficulty sleeping; and problems at school.
At what age does mental illness typically start?
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about half of all mental health disorders start by adolescence, and three-quarters have started by the time a person reaches their mid-20s.