May 2023 Parent Panel

Mental health and substance use affect people from all age groups and walks of life. The coexistence of both a substance use disorder and a mental illness is referred to as a co-occurring disorder. When a mental health disorder goes undiagnosed or untreated in teens, they will often try to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs, possibly due to curiosity and peer pressure that occurs in the adolescent years. Studies show that there is an increased risk of substance use in teens with anxiety disorders, ADHD, PTSD, and depression.