Key points
- Mental health is an important part of overall health.
- Around one in every five teens in Australia is affected by mental health concerns.
- If your teen is struggling with their mental health, encourage them to seek help early.
- There are lots of places for young people to get mental health support – from online chat services to in-person counselling.
What is mental health?
Mental health is a person’s social, emotional and psychological state.
Try to think of mental health as a spectrum. It is normal for a teen's mental health to move along the spectrum as their brains are constantly changing and developing. They may feel happy and productive on some days but stressed and overwhelmed on others.
Good mental health makes it easier for your teen to work or study, enjoy their hobbies, connect with others, and recover from challenges.
On the contrary, poorer mental health can affect your teen’s mood, sleep, motivation and energy. If this lasts longer than a few weeks, or it seems to be impacting their relationships, work or study, they may benefit from professional help.
Figure one: The Children's Wellbeing Continuum, Centre for Community Child Health 2022. Shared with permission from Murdoch Children's Research Institute 2022.
Most common mental health concerns in teens
Stress
Stress is a feeling of worry or tension caused by pressures and challenges in life. Some common reasons your teen may feel stressed are:
- Schoolwork and grades
- Major life changes like moving to a new place
- Friendship conflicts
- Bullying or peer pressure
- Family changes like divorce.
Everyone feels stressed sometimes. Stress can even be helpful. For example, it could motivate your teen to study for an upcoming exam. However, too much stress may overwhelm your teen and stop them from doing the things they need to do.
Anxiety
Anxiety is an intense and excessive feeling of worry or fear. Like stress, it is normal for teens to feel anxious from time to time – especially during uncertain
or difficult periods.
Some common signs of anxiety are:
- Feeling very worried or scared
- Avoiding everyday situations like school or social events
- Trouble concentrating
- Overplanning and overthinking
- Feeling tired more than usual and having problems sleeping
- Physical symptoms, such as a fast heartbeat, quicker breathing, stomach aches or feeling sweaty.
If your teen's anxious feelings do not go away and start affecting their daily life, they may have an anxiety disorder. It is best for your teen to speak with their doctor or another health professional if they have ongoing anxiety.
Panic attacks
A panic attack is a sudden and strong feeling of fear that causes physical changes to the body. During a panic attack, the brain tells the body that something dangerous is happening, so it releases a rush of hormones.
If your teen is having a panic attack, they may feel:
- their heart racing or chest pain
- short of breath
- dizzy or lightheaded
- nauseous or have stomach cramps
- shaky, unsteady or sweaty
- their muscles tense.
Panic attacks can happen quickly and feel scary, but they are not dangerous. If your teen has a panic attack, their symptoms should go away with time. Speak with their doctor or another health professional if your teen has regular panic attacks or lasting
symptoms.
Depression
Depression is more than just feeling down. Everyone feels sad sometimes, but depression is when that sadness lasts and affects everyday life.
If your teen has depression, they may have other symptoms such as:
- Tiredness or low energy
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Eating more or less than usual
- Headaches, stomach aches or other aches and pains
- Restlessness.
Depression may make it hard for your teen to enjoy activities, focus on school, or spend time with friends and family. Your teen should get mental health support if they show signs of depression for more than two weeks.
Getting mental health support
If your teen seems overwhelmed, anxious, down or not like themselves, there are many ways for them to get help.
Crisis support services
If your teen is having a mental health emergency, call an ambulance (000) immediately.
The services below offer mental health support online or by phone.
| Kids Helpline |
Mental health support for ages five to 25. |
|
Phone call
Chat online
Connect with others
|
1800 551 800
kidshelpline.com.au
kidshelpline.com.au/my-circle
|
Available 24/7 |
| Lifeline |
Mental health support for all ages. |
|
Phone call
Text message
Online chat
Accessibility options
|
13 11 14
0477 131 114
lifeline.org.au
lifeline.org.au/language-support/
(for those with difficulty speaking or hearing)
|
Available 24/7 |
| Suicide Call Back Service |
Support for people aged 15 and over affected by suicide. |
|
Phone call
Online chat
|
1300 659 467
suicidecallbackservice.org.au
|
Available 24/7 |
| Beyond Blue |
Mental health support for all ages. |
|
Phone call
Online chat
Connect with others |
1300 22 46 36
beyondblue.org.au
forums.beyondblue.org.au
|
Available 24/7 |
| 13YARN |
Mental health support for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. |
| Phone call |
13 92 76
13yarn.org.au
|
Available 24/7 |
| 1800RESPECT |
Support for people of all ages experiencing sexual assault or domestic and family violence, or supporting someone who is. |
|
Phone call
Text message
Online chat
|
1800 737 732
0458 737 732
1800respect.org.au
|
Available 24/7 |
| QLife |
Peer support for LGBTQIA+ people of all ages. |
|
Phone call
Online chat
|
1800 184 527
qlife.org.au
|
Available
3pm to 12am AEST
|
| Translating & Interpreting Service (TIS National) |
Language support for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds who need an interpreter to use services like Lifeline or Beyond Blue. |
| Phone call |
131 450
tisnational.gov.au
|
Available 24/7 |
Non-urgent support services and resources
| What is it? |
Ages |
Contact Details |
Support |
Availability |
headspace
- Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation.
- Offers support with mental health, alcohol and drug services, and work or study issues.
- Has translated fact sheets.
|
12 to 25 |
1800 650 890
headspace.org.au
|
Phone
Online chat
Online content
Centres
|
3pm to 10pm AEST online and by phone.
Different opening hours for each centre.
|
Reachout
- Online youth mental health service.
- Offers anonymous chat support.
- Shares resources.
|
16 to 25 |
au.reachout.com |
Online chat
Connect with others
|
3pm to 8pm AEST, Monday to Thursday.
1pm to 5pm AEST, Friday.
|
Butterfly Foundation
- Support for people with eating disorders or body image concerns.
- Shares resources.
|
All ages |
1800 33 4673
butterfly.org.au
|
Phone
Online chat
|
8am to 12am (midnight) |
National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline
- Support and advice about alcohol and other drugs.
- Shares information on Alcohol and Drug services in your state or territory.
|
All ages |
1800 250 015 |
Phone |
Available 24/7 |
MOST
- Online youth mental health service
- Offers interactive mental health tools and one-on-one support.
|
Ages 15 to 25
(12 to 14 with a referral)
|
most.org.au |
Online content
Connect with others |
|
Raise
- Online mentoring program that connects young people with trained mentors to build skills and confidence.
|
13 to 16 |
raise.org.au/digital |
Online program |
|
Common questions about teen mental health support
How do I get my teen to talk to me about their mental health?
The best way to encourage your teen to talk to you about their mental health is to create open and non-judgmental lines of communication. Show interest in their life and offer support where you can, without being pushy. For example, you could
ask them how they are feeling about school and if they have any big tests coming up. This will show your teen you care and create a safe space for them to share when they are ready.
I am worried about my teen’s mental health. What do I do?
If you think your teen is having a mental health emergency, call an ambulance (000) immediately.
It can be hard to watch your teen manage mental health problems. If you are worried that they are struggling, try to have an open and honest conversation with them. You could tell them you have noticed they do not seem like themselves, or offer
to speak to them about anything on their mind. Avoid forcing your teen to share if they do not seem comfortable. They may prefer talking to someone else about their worries, which is usually normal in the teen years. In these cases, suggest
they chat to another adult, such as a school counsellor, an online support service or their doctor. In Australia, the government will cover some or all costs of your teen seeing a professional under a Mental Health Treatment Plan if they have a Medicare card.
How can I encourage my teen to support their mental health day-to-day?
The best time for your teen to look after their mental health is when they are feeling mentally well. This is because they are likely to have the time and space to take care of themselves. There are many things your teen can do to be proactive
about their mental health, such as eating a nutritious and balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and limiting their screen time.
Does my teen need to tell me if they see a mental health professional?
Teens have a right to private and confidential health care. This privacy means they can see a counsellor or other mental health professional without telling you. The mental health professional does not need to tell you about the challenges your
teen is facing unless they are worried about their safety.
For more information
Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Adolescent Medicine department, with input from the Psychology department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed August 2025
Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.