Now that you know some of the signs and symptoms of psychological illness, what can you do with this information? First, take a personal inventory of your own mental health. Are you experiencing symptoms that interfere with your ability to complete your school work or hold a job, your desire to hang out with friends, or your willingness to interact with family members? Do you find it difficult to enjoy life? If so, it’s time to find a trained person or a good support group to help you deal with these issues.
If you find no signs of psychological illness in yourself, remain alert to signs of psychological illness in your friends. The teen years can be emotionally difficult for many reasons, and it’s normal for teenagers to be moody and emotionally volatile, or intense. If you are concerned that a friend’s moods or behaviors are affecting their ability to live life to the fullest, talk to that person in private. Let your friend know you are concerned about their well-being and, if you can, offer to assist them in finding some help.
You can (and should) also look for outside help if you suspect that you or someone you know needs help with a mental or psychological illness. Seek out these resources as a way to find information about appropriate mental health care. (Different resources may be available in your area.)
| A parent or other trusted adult |
| A school counselor or school psychologist |
| A healthcare provider (doctor, nurse practitioner) |
| A priest, a pastor, a rabbi, an imam or other spiritual counselor |
| Alateen. This is an organization for teens whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. Alateen groups are sponsored by adult Al-Anon members who help the group to stay on track. |
| MHMR (Mental Health and Mental Retardation) services. Services vary by location, but many offer addiction counseling and treatment as well as HIV/AIDS services. |
| Gay-Straight Alliance. A GSA club is a student-run club in a high school or middle school that brings together LGBTQI+ and straight students to support each other, provides a safe place to socialize, and creates a platform for students to fight for racial, gender, LGBTQ, and economic justice. |
| GLBT National Help Center Youth Talkline. The Youth Talkline provides telephone and online private one-to-one chat and email peer-support for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender young people. The Talkline provides factual information and lists local resources for cities and towns across the United States. |
