In recent years, Taiwanese teenage mental health issues have continued to worsen, with suicide rates rising steadily. According to Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare's 2024 statistics, the proportion of suicide deaths among adolescents aged 12 to 17 has increased from 12.5% to 18.4% over the past five years. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among Taiwanese teenagers.

Concerns over adolescent mental health are deepening. To better understand adolescent mental health, the Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF) released the results of CWLF’s Taiwan Youth Mental Health Survey[1] on February 17. The findings reveal that more than half (54.3%) of junior high school students feel pressure about their future. Among these students, the proportion of those experiencing emotional distress is twice as high as that of those who do not feel the same pressure, and the incidence of physical and psychological symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia is 3.5 times higher. The heavy burden of academic work and uncertainty about the future not only weigh heavily on their adolescence but have also become key triggers for mental health crises.

[1] The target population of this survey comprised Taiwanese junior high school students (Grades 7 to 9). A stratified cluster random sampling method was employed, dividing Taiwan's administrative divisions into four regions: North, Central, South, and East. Based on the Ministry of the Interior's demographic data on the proportion of 13- to 15-year-olds in each region, the planned sample size for each area was determined. Junior high schools were then randomly selected within these four regions, and students from grades 7 to 9 were invited to complete the questionnaire until the target sample size for each region was met. The survey was conducted from December 8, 2023, to January 12, 2024. A total of 985 questionnaires were distributed, with 801 valid student responses collected, yielding a response rate a response rate of 81.3%. After further screening, 747 valid questionnaires were retained. At a 95% confidence level, the margin of error does not exceed ±3.58%. In terms of sample composition, 53.6% of respondents were male, 44.9% were female, and 1.5% identified as other.

Concerns over adolescent mental health are deepening. To better understand adolescent mental health, the Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF) released the results of CWLF’s “Taiwan Youth Mental Health Survey” on February 17. The findings reveal that more than half (54.3%) of junior high school students feel pressure about their future. Among these students, the proportion of those experiencing emotional distress is twice as high as that of those who do not feel the same pressure, and the incidence of physical and psychological symptoms such as anxiety and insomnia is 3.5 times higher. The heavy burden of academic work and uncertainty about the future not only weigh heavily on their adolescence but have also become key triggers for mental health crises.

Another significant factor contributing to emotional distress is social media use. The survey found that teenagers spend an average of five hours a day on social media, with over one-third admitting to being addicted. Those who identify as social media addicts experience emotional distress at more than twice the rate of their peers who do not identify as such. Moreover, less than half of teenagers feel comfortable sharing their daily experiences with family members. This phenomenon highlights a lack of parent-child communication and emotional support, leaving many teenagers feeling isolated and vulnerable when dealing with stress.

In response, CWLF has issued four key recommendations, urging the government to expand online counseling resources and incorporate mental health assessments in regular student checkups. Additionally, parents are encouraged to engage in physical activities with their children to foster emotional well-being. CWLF has also released a range of free resources available to teenagers, aiming to create a more supportive and youth-friendly environment for their mental health.

Mental health issues have been increasingly emerging in schools, with many students experiencing emotional distress that also affects their physical health. 16.4% of students report feeling down more than once a week, indicating that, on average, 2 to 3 students per class struggle with these emotions. The survey reveals that the most common emotional distress symptoms among junior high school students include irritability (13.6%), nervousness (12.6%), excessive worry (12.1%), fear (10.0%), uncontrollable anxiety (9.8%), and difficulty in relaxing (9.5%).[2]

These emotional issues often lead to the manifestation of physical symptoms, with nearly 10% of students experiencing sleep difficulties (9.2%) and headaches (8.8%) more than once a week. Such symptoms directly impact students’ learning and daily lives. If left unaddressed, they may have long-term negative effects on students’ mental and physical development, potentially leading to more severe health complications..

[2] The percentages in parentheses for emotional distress indicate the proportion of students who reported experiencing these issues on more than half of the days or every day during the past two weeks.

Further investigation into the causes of emotional issues shows that increasing academic pressure has become a key factor that cannot be ignored. The survey found that junior high school students who feel pressure about their future are more likely to experience emotional distress: 50.1% worry about their future [3], 46.2% feel immense stress over choosing between further education or employment, and 39.1% place pressure on themselves to achieve future goals. These students are twice as likely to suffer from emotional issues as their peers, and the proportion of students experiencing multiple physical and psychological symptoms [4] is 3.5 times higher.

It is worrying that academic pressure comes from more than classroom learning. Students not only prepare for exams but also develop extra skills to stay competitive. As a result, chronic sleep deprivation and mental exhaustion have become common. They struggle to balance demands with health, which affects their quality of life and learning.

Further analysis shows that students with higher academic pressure have more emotional distress than those with less pressure (57.9% vs. 46%). They are also twice as likely to have multiple physical and psychological symptoms (30.7% vs. 16.5%). The data clearly shows that academic pressure not only affects learning performances but also harms mental health. This issue needs urgent attention.

[3] The response options for future-related stress were: no stress, slight stress, moderate stress, considerable stress, and extreme stress. The reported percentages refer to students experiencing moderate or higher levels of stress.
[4] Multiple physical and psychological symptoms: Experiencing two or more symptoms on more than half of the days or every day in the past two weeks.

In addition to academic pressure, the excessive reliance on social media has become another major concern. Studies worldwide have increasingly shown that teenagers who overuse social media are more prone to anxiety and depression. According to past research[5] conducted by CWLF, Taiwanese junior and senior high school students spend an average of 35 hours per week on social media—over five hours per day. With school and sleep taking up most of their time, these students spend nearly all their spare time scrolling through social media platforms. However, instead of providing relaxation, social media is causing students to feel more stressed.

The data reveals that 37.7% of teenagers showcase signs of social media addiction[6], and these individuals experience nearly twice the rate of emotional distress compared to those without an addiction (73.6% vs. 34.6%). Furthermore, they are three times more likely to develop multiple physical and psychological symptoms (35.6% vs. 11.3%). Excessive immersion in the virtual world not only causes emotional distress but also leads to conflicts with family members. These findings highlight that social media has shifted from a valuable tool to an increasing burden for teenagers, posing a significant threat to their mental health and overall well-being.

The data reveals that 37.7% of teenagers showcase signs of social media addiction, and these individuals experience nearly twice the rate of emotional distress compared to those without an addiction (73.6% vs. 34.6%). Furthermore, they are three times more likely to develop multiple physical and psychological symptoms (35.6% vs. 11.3%). Excessive immersion in the virtual world not only causes emotional distress but also leads to conflicts with family members. These findings highlight that social media has shifted from a valuable tool to an increasing burden for teenagers, posing a significant threat to their mental health and overall well-being.

[5] The Source: 2024 Survey on Appearance Anxiety Among Children in Social Media Era by CWLF
[6] Referring to the social media-related questions from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) international survey, a total of nine questions were assessed, including statements such as "Constantly thinking about using social media and unable to focus on other things" and "Experiencing serious conflicts with family due to social media use." Responses were scored as 1 point for "Yes" and 0 points for "No." The average score was 1.6, and those scoring 2 or higher were classified as having social media addiction.

Parental companionship and support play crucial roles in teenagers' mental well-being. However, survey results reveal an alarming reality: only 64.3% of junior high students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts with their mothers, while this percentage drops to merely 50.4% for fathers. Additionally, fewer than half (46.6%) of students feel they can openly discuss their problems with their families.

The data further underscores the importance of a strong support system. Teenagers with higher levels of family support[7] are significantly less likely to experience emotional distress (34.7% vs. 61.7%) or multiple physical and psychological symptoms (13% vs. 27.2%) compared to those with lower family support. Similarly, those with strong peer support also show lower rates of emotional distress (40.2% vs. 57.4%) and fewer physical and psychological symptoms (16.2% vs. 24.7%). These findings highlight that positive parent-child interactions and strong peer support[8] not only prevent teenagers from experiencing mental health issues but also help them to foster a sense of self-identity, and emotional resilience, and strengthen healthy social skills.

[7] "Family Support" is measured by summing the scores of the following two items and categorizing them into high and low groups based on the median: (1) "My family tries their best to help me." (2) "I can talk to my family about my problems."
[8] "Peer Support" is measured using the same method, based on the following two items: (1) "My friends try their best to help me."  (2) "I can talk to my friends about my problems."

In response to the challenges faced by parents, schools, and policymakers, the CWLF has put forth concrete recommendations, urging collective efforts from all sectors to foster a supportive and understanding environment for adolescents:

• Taiwan’s Ministry of Education Should Expand Online Counseling Resources: According to CWLF’s 2022 survey, 5% of students avoid seeking school counseling services due to reasons such as lack of time, inconvenient location, and concerns regarding insufficient privacy protection. To address this issue, CWLF recommends that the Ministry of Education not only raise awareness of the purpose and benefits of counseling services but also improve their accessibility by offering more flexible appointment times to accommodate students' schedules. Additionally, enhancing privacy measures, such as implementing one-on-one online counseling options, would provide adolescents with a confidential and easily accessible emotional support channel whenever they experience distress.
• The Government Should Consider Incorporating Mental Health Assessments into Routine Student Screenings:
  Physical illnesses are often visible, but mental health issues are much harder to detect. CWLF suggests that education and health authorities collaborate to integrate mental health assessments into routine student health screenings. Establishing a standardized screening mechanism would help identify and prevent severe psychological issues at an early stage. More importantly, institutionalizing these assessments could also eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health, encouraging both students and parents to approach mental well-being with a more open and accepting attitude.
• Parents Should Actively Participate in Physical Activities with Their Children:
  Exercise not only strengthens physical health but also has a profound positive impact on adolescents’ mental well-being. The survey results indicate that students who exercise more frequently exhibit significantly lower rates of emotional distress and physical and psychological symptoms. However, the reality is concerning—junior high school students in Taiwan exercise for an average of only 4.8 hours per week[9], far below the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended levels. CWLF urges parents not only to develop their own exercise habits but also to actively engage in physical activities with their children. Additionally, parents should encourage their children to participate in school or community sports programs to establish regular exercise routines and lower their risk of mental health issues.

  [9] Source: 2024 Survey on Children's Physical Activity and Parental Support in Taiwan by CWLF

• CWLF Mental Health Support for Teenagers:
  • Heart Passport: Provides mental health education, simple self-assessment questionnaires, and counseling resources. For high-risk youth, it offers regular check-ins, timely referrals, and long-term follow-ups to ensure continuous monitoring of their mental and physical well-being.
  • Youth Helpline (0800-001769): Available Tuesday to Saturday, 16:30–19:30. It provides a safe space for teenagers to share their worries and receive emotional support.
  • LINE@ Online Chat Service (@youthplus_cwlf): Allows adolescents to express their worries at any time. Social workers can assist in finding counseling services or referring them to professional medical resources if needed.
  • Free Online Course – "Teenagers Shouldn’t Always Be EMO":
  A guide for teenagers facing academic pressure, struggling with self-identity, or looking to improve relationships. It is also designed for parents who wish to better understand and support their children.
  • Teenagers Version • Parent Version

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