10th October is World Mental Health Day. The theme for this year is ‘Young people and mental health in a changing world’. Adolescence and early adulthood are a time of life when young people are developing their identities while many big life changes occur, like changing schools, leaving school and home, and starting a new job or university. These can be times of stress, worry and apprehension. The expanding use of online technologies, can also bring additional pressures, as connectivity to virtual networks at any time of the day and night grows.

Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated. In terms of the burden of the disease among adolescents, depression is the third leading cause. Harmful use of alcohol and illicit drugs among adolescents can lead to risky behaviours. Eating disorders can have serious impact on the health and mental health of teens.

Fortunately, there is a growing recognition of the importance of helping young people build mental resilience, from the earliest ages, in order to cope with the challenges of today’s world. Evidence is growing that promoting and protecting adolescent health brings benefits not just to adolescents’ health, both in the short- and the long-term, but also to communities and society as a whole.

Try to find ways to connect with your teen and check in with them so they can open up if they are struggling and here are five lifestyle changes that we can use to help improve our mental health.