Summer can be a fun break, but for many teens, it also brings stress, boredom, or emotional ups and downs. Without school routines, some teens feel more overwhelmed or isolated. Blume Behavioral Health understands how these months can impact mental well-being.
With the right guidance and support, summer can be a time for emotional growth and balance. Here are tips to help teens protect their mental health and feel more grounded all season.
Why Does Summer Trigger Mental Health Issues in Teens?
Summer break can be exciting, but it can also bring unexpected emotional challenges. Without school, teens often lose their usual structure and may lose some sense of purpose. Routines like waking up early, attending classes, and seeing friends every day are suddenly gone. This sudden shift can lead to feelings of emptiness, anxiety, or sadness.
For teens dealing with personality disorders, structure helps them manage moods, behavior, and impulses. Without it, emotions may feel stronger or harder to control. Long stretches of free time can also bring boredom, loneliness, or overthinking. Some teens compare themselves to others on social media, feeling like they’re missing out. The pressure to socialize, perform, or stay busy can feel overwhelming.
Others may withdraw, sleep more, or avoid activities altogether. High temperatures and a lack of quality sleep can make it harder for teens to manage their moods and emotions. Summer can be a break from school, but it isn’t always a break from emotional stress. That’s why it’s important to check in with teens regularly during this time.
What are the Mental Health Warning Signs in Teens Parents Shouldn’t Ignore?
Teens often express mental distress in subtle ways, and it’s important to notice the early signs. Changes in sleeping habits, such as sleeping too much or not at all, can be a sign of anxiety or depression. A noticeable decline in school performance or drive might point to emotional struggles, not just a lack of effort.
If a teen withdraws from friends, family, or activities they once enjoyed, they may be struggling. Personality shifts, like becoming irritable, distant, or overly sensitive, are worth exploring. If a teen talks about feeling hopeless, worthless, or overwhelmed, these words should never be brushed aside. We offer residential teen depression treatment and can help address these struggles.
Physical complaints like stomachaches or headaches without a medical cause may be related to stress. Watch for signs of self-harm or risky behaviors like substance use. Teens might also start avoiding social events out of fear or insecurity. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it’s okay to ask questions with empathy and without judgment. Early conversations can lead to support that prevents things from getting worse.
Mental Health Care for Teens
Teens need mental health care that is safe, respectful, and built just for them. Teen brains are still growing, and emotional skills are still developing, so they need help that fits their stage of life. Mental health care for teens often includes talk therapy, like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), to change negative thought patterns.
Group therapy can help teens realize they’re not alone in their struggles. Some teens benefit from medication, which should always be prescribed and monitored by professionals. For teens with personality disorders or substance use issues, integrated care works best. That means addressing both the emotional patterns and the behavior together.
Family therapy often helps strengthen communication and rebuild trust at home. Teens also benefit from programs that include creative activities like art, music, or movement. The focus isn’t on “fixing” teens but on helping them understand themselves and build a healthier path forward.
Anxiety in Teens
Anxiety in teens isn’t just stress; it’s a constant feeling of worry that can affect every part of life. Some teens feel anxious about grades, relationships, or the future. Others may worry for no clear reason at all.
Anxiety might show up as racing thoughts, sweating, trembling, or feeling like something bad will happen. It can also lead to panic attacks or avoidance of everyday activities. Teens with anxiety may seem withdrawn, perfectionistic, or overly sensitive. They may dread social situations, fear being judged, or avoid trying new things. Anxiety can also affect sleep, appetite, and concentration.
For teens with personality disorders, anxiety can feel even more intense. They may turn to risky behaviors or substances to try to calm their nerves. Anxiety is common, but it’s not something teens have to live with. With the right tools and support, teens can learn how to manage anxiety, stay grounded, and feel more in control of their thoughts and emotions.
Statistics On Teens with Anxiety in Redondo Beach, California
Anxiety is a growing concern for teens in Redondo Beach, and recent local data reflects this trend. School wellness surveys indicate that nearly 25% of students experience anxiety on most days. Girls are more likely than boys to report anxiety, often tied to school and social stress.
More teens are also using substances as a way to cope with these overwhelming feelings. Local therapists are seeing a higher demand for care that treats both anxiety and substance use together. These patterns show that anxiety is a real and rising issue for many teens in the area.
How Can Parents Help Teens Protect Their Mental Health During Summer?
Parents play a big role in helping teens feel stable and safe during summer. Start by creating a flexible daily routine with time for sleep, meals, and rest. Teens often feel more secure and balanced when their day has some structure and predictability.
Encourage open conversations about feelings, but avoid pushing too hard. Ask how they’re doing, and really listen, without interrupting or trying to fix everything right away. Limit screen time gently, and suggest activities that get them moving, thinking, or connecting. Support healthy sleep habits by setting a regular bedtime and encouraging breaks from phones.
Help them find purpose, like volunteering, learning a skill, or pursuing a hobby. Be patient. Moods may shift, and motivation might come and go. If a teen seems down, anxious, or angry most days, don’t ignore it. You can always reach out to a therapist, counselor, or doctor for guidance. Remind your teen that you’re on their team, no matter what they’re feeling or facing this summer. Parents can support their teens’ growth by practicing acceptance and commitment, focusing on understanding, staying present, and guiding without judgment.
How Do Personality Disorders Influence Teen Substance Use in the Summer?
Personality disorders can make it harder for teens to manage emotions and relationships, and that often leads to substance use. For example, a teen with borderline personality traits may experience intense mood swings, fear of abandonment, and deep loneliness.
They might turn to drugs or alcohol to feel better, calm down, or escape emotional pain. Teens with impulsive behaviors may use substances without thinking about the consequences. Some struggle with identity and use substances to fit in or feel more confident.
Substance use might offer temporary relief, but it usually makes mental health worse over time. It can increase anger, sadness, or recklessness. Teens often don’t realize how linked their emotional patterns and behavior are. That’s why it’s important to treat both issues together, not one at a time. Teens deserve understanding, not shame. Getting to the root of both substance use and emotional pain gives them a better chance to heal and build a healthier life.
What Treatments Support Teens Facing Both Personality Disorders and Substance Use?
Teens who struggle with both emotional instability and substance use need care that addresses both at once. This is called dual-diagnosis treatment. Therapists often use dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) to help teens manage strong emotions and make safer choices.
DBT helps teens learn skills to manage emotions, stay present, and handle stress in healthier ways. Group therapy gives teens a chance to share with others who face similar struggles, helping them feel less alone. Individual sessions give space to explore the deeper roots of both substance use and personality symptoms.
Medication may help with mood, anxiety, or impulse control, but it should be used alongside therapy. Family therapy helps rebuild trust and open communication at home. Teens may also need support around school, peer relationships, or identity. A full treatment plan looks at the whole person, not just the behaviors. Programs designed for teens make it easier for them to feel safe and heard.
Blume Behavioral Health Supports Teen Mental Health All Year Round
At Blume Behavioral Health, teens receive care that meets them where they are, emotionally, mentally, and developmentally. Our team understands how personality disorders and substance use can be deeply connected.
Blume creates personalized treatment plans that combine clinical knowledge with a genuine understanding of what teens are going through. We use evidence-based therapies like DBT, CBT, and trauma-informed care. We also support school goals, creative expression, and life skills. Our environment is designed to feel welcoming, not clinical.
We stay connected even after treatment ends through aftercare planning and follow-up support. Every season brings new challenges, and our goal is to help teens face them with strength, self-awareness, and hope. If your teen is struggling, you’re not alone, and neither are they. Contact us today to learn how we can help your family find healing and a path forward, no matter the season.
Dr. Aneta Lotakov Prince is a board-certified psychiatrist with over 20 years of clinical experience treating adolescents and adults facing severe mental illness, co-occurring substance use disorders, and complex emotional and behavioral health challenges. Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, she holds an active DEA registration and California medical license. Dr. Prince’s patient-centered approach is rooted in compassion and driven by a dedication to improving quality of life and supporting long-term recovery. She remains deeply committed to empowering each individual she works with to build a life of purpose, connection, and resilience.