Risk & Protective Factors

The risk and protective factors vary for each individual, but the most common and general between most people who have experienced problems with their mental health are stress, trauma, and lack of support. The strongest protective factors are strong relationships, community support, and access to mental health resources.

This campaign will go over the specifics for teenagers' risk and protective factors.

Risk Factors for Teenagers

1, Excessive Screen Time

Spending many hours a day on your phone can overload your brain with constant input, making it harder to focus, relax, and recover from stress. In our tracking, higher screen time often lined up with higher stress/anxiety and lower motivation.

2. Social Comparison

Constantly comparing yourself to others online can lower self-esteem and increase anxiety. It can increase pressure to look, act, or live a certain way.

3. Sleep DIsruption

Using your phone late at night can push bedtime later, reduce sleep quality, and keep your mind overstimulated. Less sleep makes emotions feel more intense, increases irritability, and makes stress and anxiety harder to cope with the next day.

Protective Factors for Teenagers

1, Positive Coping Skills

Simple tools like deep breathing, grounding exercises, journaling, movement, music, or creative outlets help manage stress in healthier ways. These strategies give your mind a reset when emotions feel overwhelming.

2. Support & Connection

Having trusted people to talk to- friends, family, mentors, or counselors- acts as a buffer against stress and isolation. Feeling supported makes it easier to ask for help, process emotions, and bounce back from hard days.

3. Healthy Digital Boundaries

Setting limits on screen time (especially before bed), taking short breaks, and being intentional about what you consume online helps reduce overstimulation and protects mood. Even small habits like "no phone the first 10 minutes after waking" can make a difference.