Higher Education Summary

Are Memphis Parents Doing Enough for Teens Struggling with Mental Health?

Exploring Challenges and Solutions for Parental Involvement.

Frankie (Zoe) Smail

Teens in Memphis face stressors like community violence and poverty.

Why Teen Mental Health Needs Attention

Community violence: Memphis has a high rate of violent crime, which increases stress and trauma for youth. Poverty: Over 25% of Memphis residents live in poverty, creating financial instability and emotional strain for teens. Lack of resources: Limited access to mental health care exacerbates untreated conditions

1 in 5 teens struggle with mental health disorders.

Challenges to Parental Involvement

Stigma: Mental health viewed as weakness. Generational Divide: Parents normalize struggles as resilience. Economic Hardship: Time and cost constraints.

argument

What Parents and Communities Can Do

Memphis parents must take a more active role in supporting teens’ mental health. Schools offer limited help, but parents provide crucial emotional support, early detection, and reinforcement of coping skills. Addressing stigma, poverty, and awareness gaps is essential for better outcomes.

counter argument

Some argue that school programs and peer networks provide enough mental health support for teens. However, these resources cannot replace the consistent guidance and support parents offer, which are crucial for lasting mental health improvement

Educate parents with workshops on recognizing signs of mental health struggles. Normalize mental health conversations to reduce stigma. Expand access to affordable mental health care

Synthesis

Memphis teens face heightened risks of mental health issues like anxiety and trauma due to poverty, violence, and limited resources. Stigma, economic barriers, and a lack of parental support often delay care, leaving many teens without the help they need. Addressing these challenges is vital to improving youth outcomes.

Works Cited Corredor-Waldron, Milena, and Janet Currie. “Mental Health Disparities and Barriers to Care in Low-Income Communities.” *Journal of Health Economics*, vol. 43, no. 2, 2024, pp. 35–45. Faris, Emily, and Jordan Nichol. “School-Based Mental Health Interventions: An Analysis of Memphis City Schools.” *Education and Mental Health Journal*, vol. 19, no. 1, 2023, pp. 12–23. Henderson, Patricia, and Marcus Spears. “Generational Stigma and Mental Health: Barriers in Southern U.S. Communities.” *American Journal of Community Psychology*, vol. 78, no. 3, 2023, pp. 13–26. Vogel, Sarah, et al. “Economic Hardship and the Normalization of Mental Health Struggles in Urban Communities.” *Social Science & Medicine*, vol. 98, no. 4, 2024, pp. 21–32. Wilcox, Karen, et al. “The Role of Parents in Adolescent Mental Health Outcomes: A Case Study of Memphis.” *Child Psychology Quarterly*, vol. 25, no. 4, 2024, pp. 1–10.

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