What Can Happen if Parents Ignore Teen Mental Illness
FACT CHECKED
The Nexus Teen Academy editorial and clinical team is dedicated to providing informative and accurate content to help families who are struggling with adolescent behavioral health problems. The editorial team works directly with the clinical team to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
To do this, our team uses the following editorial guidelines:
We generally only cite government and peer-reviewed studies
Scientific claims and data are backed by qualified sources
Content is updated to ensure we are citing the most up-to-date data and information
Clinically reviewed by Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC
Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC
Hannah graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. She began her work as a therapist 12 years ago in South Phoenix with an intensive outpatient program for teens and their families. She joined Nexus in the residential program as the clinical director, eventually being promoted to the executive director, creating and building the clinical program structure and a strong culture focused on redirecting the trajectory of young lives.
The Nexus Teen Academy Editorial Staff is composed of writers, editors, and clinical reviewers with many years of experience writing about mental health and behavioral health treatment. Our team utilizes peer-reviewed, clinical studies from sources like SAMHSA to ensure we provide the most accurate and current information.
Many teens with mental illness go unsupported because the signs are misread, minimized, or ignored. It can be challenging to detect mental health conditions in teens because they often try to hide their actual state of mind. However, parents still need to observe their teenagers keenly to help in the early identification of mental health conditions. Early detection and diagnosis help to prevent long-term consequences of untreated mental health conditions. As a parent or guardian, it is your responsibility to ensure that your teen is healthy, both physically and mentally.
This article is going to examine what can happen when parents ignore their teen’s mental illness. It will also explore the most common reasons why parents struggle to acknowledge teen mental illness. If you are interested in a teen treatment program that can help your son or daughter’s behavioral health, visit Nexus Teen Academy.
Why Some Parents Struggle to Acknowledge Teen Mental Illness
Many parents find themselves denying their teens’ mental health challenges. The following are common reasons why parents tend to do this:
Common Parental Misconceptions
Mental health awareness has only recently gained the recognition it deserves. Previously, mental health challenges were considered less severe than physical illnesses, as the struggles are internal and cannot be seen by others. As a result, many parents have developed many misconceptions about mental health conditions. For example, most parents believe that mental health challenges “are just a phase” or that their teen will “grow out of it.” These misconceptions prevent teenagers from seeking the help they need. They also prevent parents from being supportive as their teens recover from their mental or behavioral health conditions.
Fear of Diagnosis or Labeling
Parents legitimately fear their teens being diagnosed with mental health conditions. They see it as a parental failure. Since many mental health conditions have a genetic component, parents blame themselves for passing the condition to their children. They also fear the labeling associated with mental illnesses. Although society has become more progressive, teens with mental health conditions like schizophrenia are labeled as “crazy” in some communities. This fear can make it difficult for parents to acknowledge their teen’s mental health condition.
Warning Signs of Mental Illness Parents Should Never Ignore
Mental health symptoms do not come out of the blue. They have subtle signs that are often ignored or misunderstood. Although different conditions manifest in different ways, the following are signs that you should never ignore:
Emotional Changes: Many mental health conditions can cause emotional changes in teenagers. These include constant sadness, irritability, anger and aggression, constant worry, and feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. If these emotional changes become the norm, you should not ignore them.
Behavioral Shifts: Behaviors like social isolation, academic decline, substance abuse, and other risky behaviors can be a sign of an underlying mental health condition.
Physical Symptoms: Insomnia, appetite changes, unexplained body aches, and psychosomatic complaints may also signify an underlying mental health concern.
Verbal and Nonverbal Red Flags: You should never ignore talk about death, wanting to disappear, or concerns about feeling empty or numb. These are usually signs that your teen might be contemplating suicide.
When Symptoms Persist Beyond “Normal Teen Behavior”
As a parent or guardian, you should be able to differentiate between normal teen behavior and symptoms of mental health conditions. The best way to do this is by observation. If your teen’s emotions, behavior, or other symptoms last for a long time, they should not be ignored. Similarly, if their life becomes significantly impaired, it may be a sign that they are struggling with their mental health.
What Can Happen When Teen Mental Illness Is Ignored
Untreated mental health conditions can have adverse effects on your teen’s life. Some consequences of untreated teen mental illness include the following:
Escalation of Symptoms
Mental health conditions usually start tame. However, they can easily escalate if left untreated. For example, your teen’s depression can cause them to be sad for a couple of days. However, if the condition is left untreated, it can escalate to a point where your teen experiences crippling depression that lasts for months. At this stage, they are unable to get out of bed by themselves, eat, or shower. It is always important to seek help as early as possible. Early intervention improves the prognosis of the condition.
Similarly, general anxiety can escalate to panic disorders. Generally, anxiety is easily manageable. However, when it escalates to a panic disorder, it is much harder to treat or manage its symptoms.
Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation
Teen self-harm (clinically known as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI)) is usually a negative coping mechanism created to deal with difficult emotions. Teens with depression, borderline personality disorder, or bipolar disorder tend to engage in self-harm to deal with their feelings. When teens self-harm, their bodies release endorphins, which can alleviate emotional distress. Sometimes, teens who self-harm can inadvertently commit suicide. Similarly, suicide is seen as a way to end the emotional distress caused by mental health conditions.
Academic and Social Decline
Untreated mental health conditions can lead to a decline in academic performance. Emotional distress makes it hard to concentrate in class, making it hard to learn and retain knowledge. If your teen has conditions like ADHD or anxiety, they may struggle to maintain focus during exams, leading to academic decline.
Mental health conditions can also lead to a breakdown of interpersonal relationships. Teens with mental health conditions like depression tend to isolate themselves from their peers. They hide their condition and withdraw from social events, which inevitably leads to social decline.
Substance Use and Risky Behaviors
Mental health conditions increase the risk of substance use. This is because drugs and substances offer temporary relief from emotional distress. As teens continue to use these substances, they may start to develop dependencies on them, leading to a cyclical effect.
Long-Term Consequences Into Adulthood
Untreated mental health conditions can have lasting effects well into adulthood. They can lead to addiction, inability to maintain relationships, and inability to flourish in the workplace. Similarly, teens who begin using alcohol and other substances are more likely to have problems with law enforcement. This can lead to incarceration and other legal issues. These long-term consequences make it difficult for people to thrive in society.
How Parents Can Move from Denial to Support
Supporting adolescent mental health is essential in today’s society. The following are some ways to help a teen with mental illness:
Start by Listening Without Judgement
As a parent or guardian, you should create a safe and supportive environment where your teen can express themselves without fear. Many parents do not respect their teens’ opinions or thoughts. As a result, teenagers are less likely to approach such parents when they are struggling with their mental health. Make it a point to check up on your teen regularly. Encourage them to talk about their feelings while ensuring they understand that you will not judge them. Doing this goes a long way in helping teens overcome their struggles. For example, your teenager’s depression can be caused by issues like bullying. When they approach you about their mental health, you can take the appropriate steps to ensure the root cause of the issue is resolved.
Acknowledge the Issue and Validate Their Feelings
As you talk to your teen about their mental health, acknowledge and validate their feelings. Avoid using minimizing language that makes them feel like their experiences are not important. Avoid using examples that diminish their experiences. As a parent or guardian, you should talk to them empathetically. Tell them that you understand their feelings and empathize with their experience. Work together with them to find solutions for their mental health struggles.
Involve Mental Health Professionals
If you suspect your teen has a mental health condition, seek professional help. Mental health practitioners can diagnose and treat mental health conditions. They have a wide array of tools that can help your teen overcome their mental health struggles. When you involve a mental health professional, you improve your teen’s chances of recovery.
Mental health providers not only treat the patient, but also the family. Family therapy sessions are designed to help teens and their families resolve conflicts. In family therapy, parents can deal with problematic issues like unhealthy communication habits, poor conflict resolution, and unhealthy family dynamics. Additionally, parents learn how to support their teenagers as they receive treatment.
Teen Behavioral Health Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
Ignoring teen mental health struggles may lead to irreversible consequences. As a parent or guardian, you should take signs of a mental health condition seriously. If left untreated, mental health conditions can lead to academic decline, relationship breakdown, worsening of the condition, self-harm, and even suicide. Early intervention is crucial in ensuring a good prognosis.
Nexus Teen Academy is a premier teen mental health treatment facility in Arizona. We provide compassionate care tailored towards meeting your teen’s needs. Our comprehensive treatment programs use evidence-based and holistic practices to treat and manage teen mental health conditions. Our multidisciplinary team plays an important role in the early diagnosis of mental health conditions. This allows us to act fast before your teen’s mental health gets worse.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we pride ourselves on using tried and tested methods to treat various mental health conditions. We use psychotherapy options like CBT, DBT, and ACT. We also offer medication management for teens requiring pharmacological interventions. If you would like to enroll your teen in one of our programs, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do all teens with mental illness need therapy?
While not all teens with mental illnesses require therapy, it is still an essential part of treatment. As a parent or guardian, you should always take the necessary measures to ensure your teen is physically and emotionally healthy.
Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC and nexus_admin
What Can Happen if Parents Ignore Teen Mental Illness
FACT CHECKED
The Nexus Teen Academy editorial and clinical team is dedicated to providing informative and accurate content to help families who are struggling with adolescent behavioral health problems. The editorial team works directly with the clinical team to ensure information is accurate and up-to-date.
To do this, our team uses the following editorial guidelines:
Clinically reviewed by Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC
Executive Director Hannah Carr, LPC
Hannah graduated from Arizona State University with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Master’s in Counseling and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arizona. She began her work as a therapist 12 years ago in South Phoenix with an intensive outpatient program for teens and their families. She joined Nexus in the residential program as the clinical director, eventually being promoted to the executive director, creating and building the clinical program structure and a strong culture focused on redirecting the trajectory of young lives.
Published By Nexus Teen Academy
Nexus Teen Academy
The Nexus Teen Academy Editorial Staff is composed of writers, editors, and clinical reviewers with many years of experience writing about mental health and behavioral health treatment. Our team utilizes peer-reviewed, clinical studies from sources like SAMHSA to ensure we provide the most accurate and current information.
Published On June 28, 2025
Table of Contents
Many teens with mental illness go unsupported because the signs are misread, minimized, or ignored. It can be challenging to detect mental health conditions in teens because they often try to hide their actual state of mind. However, parents still need to observe their teenagers keenly to help in the early identification of mental health conditions. Early detection and diagnosis help to prevent long-term consequences of untreated mental health conditions. As a parent or guardian, it is your responsibility to ensure that your teen is healthy, both physically and mentally.
This article is going to examine what can happen when parents ignore their teen’s mental illness. It will also explore the most common reasons why parents struggle to acknowledge teen mental illness. If you are interested in a teen treatment program that can help your son or daughter’s behavioral health, visit Nexus Teen Academy.
Why Some Parents Struggle to Acknowledge Teen Mental Illness
Many parents find themselves denying their teens’ mental health challenges. The following are common reasons why parents tend to do this:
Common Parental Misconceptions
Mental health awareness has only recently gained the recognition it deserves. Previously, mental health challenges were considered less severe than physical illnesses, as the struggles are internal and cannot be seen by others. As a result, many parents have developed many misconceptions about mental health conditions. For example, most parents believe that mental health challenges “are just a phase” or that their teen will “grow out of it.” These misconceptions prevent teenagers from seeking the help they need. They also prevent parents from being supportive as their teens recover from their mental or behavioral health conditions.
Fear of Diagnosis or Labeling
Parents legitimately fear their teens being diagnosed with mental health conditions. They see it as a parental failure. Since many mental health conditions have a genetic component, parents blame themselves for passing the condition to their children. They also fear the labeling associated with mental illnesses. Although society has become more progressive, teens with mental health conditions like schizophrenia are labeled as “crazy” in some communities. This fear can make it difficult for parents to acknowledge their teen’s mental health condition.
Warning Signs of Mental Illness Parents Should Never Ignore
Mental health symptoms do not come out of the blue. They have subtle signs that are often ignored or misunderstood. Although different conditions manifest in different ways, the following are signs that you should never ignore:
When Symptoms Persist Beyond “Normal Teen Behavior”
As a parent or guardian, you should be able to differentiate between normal teen behavior and symptoms of mental health conditions. The best way to do this is by observation. If your teen’s emotions, behavior, or other symptoms last for a long time, they should not be ignored. Similarly, if their life becomes significantly impaired, it may be a sign that they are struggling with their mental health.
What Can Happen When Teen Mental Illness Is Ignored
Untreated mental health conditions can have adverse effects on your teen’s life. Some consequences of untreated teen mental illness include the following:
Escalation of Symptoms
Mental health conditions usually start tame. However, they can easily escalate if left untreated. For example, your teen’s depression can cause them to be sad for a couple of days. However, if the condition is left untreated, it can escalate to a point where your teen experiences crippling depression that lasts for months. At this stage, they are unable to get out of bed by themselves, eat, or shower. It is always important to seek help as early as possible. Early intervention improves the prognosis of the condition.
Similarly, general anxiety can escalate to panic disorders. Generally, anxiety is easily manageable. However, when it escalates to a panic disorder, it is much harder to treat or manage its symptoms.
Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation
Teen self-harm (clinically known as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI)) is usually a negative coping mechanism created to deal with difficult emotions. Teens with depression, borderline personality disorder, or bipolar disorder tend to engage in self-harm to deal with their feelings. When teens self-harm, their bodies release endorphins, which can alleviate emotional distress. Sometimes, teens who self-harm can inadvertently commit suicide. Similarly, suicide is seen as a way to end the emotional distress caused by mental health conditions.
Academic and Social Decline
Untreated mental health conditions can lead to a decline in academic performance. Emotional distress makes it hard to concentrate in class, making it hard to learn and retain knowledge. If your teen has conditions like ADHD or anxiety, they may struggle to maintain focus during exams, leading to academic decline.
Mental health conditions can also lead to a breakdown of interpersonal relationships. Teens with mental health conditions like depression tend to isolate themselves from their peers. They hide their condition and withdraw from social events, which inevitably leads to social decline.
Substance Use and Risky Behaviors
Mental health conditions increase the risk of substance use. This is because drugs and substances offer temporary relief from emotional distress. As teens continue to use these substances, they may start to develop dependencies on them, leading to a cyclical effect.
Long-Term Consequences Into Adulthood
Untreated mental health conditions can have lasting effects well into adulthood. They can lead to addiction, inability to maintain relationships, and inability to flourish in the workplace. Similarly, teens who begin using alcohol and other substances are more likely to have problems with law enforcement. This can lead to incarceration and other legal issues. These long-term consequences make it difficult for people to thrive in society.
How Parents Can Move from Denial to Support
Supporting adolescent mental health is essential in today’s society. The following are some ways to help a teen with mental illness:
Start by Listening Without Judgement
As a parent or guardian, you should create a safe and supportive environment where your teen can express themselves without fear. Many parents do not respect their teens’ opinions or thoughts. As a result, teenagers are less likely to approach such parents when they are struggling with their mental health. Make it a point to check up on your teen regularly. Encourage them to talk about their feelings while ensuring they understand that you will not judge them. Doing this goes a long way in helping teens overcome their struggles. For example, your teenager’s depression can be caused by issues like bullying. When they approach you about their mental health, you can take the appropriate steps to ensure the root cause of the issue is resolved.
Acknowledge the Issue and Validate Their Feelings
As you talk to your teen about their mental health, acknowledge and validate their feelings. Avoid using minimizing language that makes them feel like their experiences are not important. Avoid using examples that diminish their experiences. As a parent or guardian, you should talk to them empathetically. Tell them that you understand their feelings and empathize with their experience. Work together with them to find solutions for their mental health struggles.
Involve Mental Health Professionals
If you suspect your teen has a mental health condition, seek professional help. Mental health practitioners can diagnose and treat mental health conditions. They have a wide array of tools that can help your teen overcome their mental health struggles. When you involve a mental health professional, you improve your teen’s chances of recovery.
Mental health providers not only treat the patient, but also the family. Family therapy sessions are designed to help teens and their families resolve conflicts. In family therapy, parents can deal with problematic issues like unhealthy communication habits, poor conflict resolution, and unhealthy family dynamics. Additionally, parents learn how to support their teenagers as they receive treatment.
Teen Behavioral Health Treatment at Nexus Teen Academy
Ignoring teen mental health struggles may lead to irreversible consequences. As a parent or guardian, you should take signs of a mental health condition seriously. If left untreated, mental health conditions can lead to academic decline, relationship breakdown, worsening of the condition, self-harm, and even suicide. Early intervention is crucial in ensuring a good prognosis.
Nexus Teen Academy is a premier teen mental health treatment facility in Arizona. We provide compassionate care tailored towards meeting your teen’s needs. Our comprehensive treatment programs use evidence-based and holistic practices to treat and manage teen mental health conditions. Our multidisciplinary team plays an important role in the early diagnosis of mental health conditions. This allows us to act fast before your teen’s mental health gets worse.
At Nexus Teen Academy, we pride ourselves on using tried and tested methods to treat various mental health conditions. We use psychotherapy options like CBT, DBT, and ACT. We also offer medication management for teens requiring pharmacological interventions. If you would like to enroll your teen in one of our programs, contact us today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
While not all teens with mental illnesses require therapy, it is still an essential part of treatment. As a parent or guardian, you should always take the necessary measures to ensure your teen is physically and emotionally healthy.