Mental Health in Teen Pregnancy: What to Know
Being a pregnant teen can feel like you’re carrying the weight of the world while being judged from all sides. Add in the stress of growing up quickly and making big decisions, and it’s not surprising that so many young parents feel overwhelmed.
Being a teenager is already tough, but add pregnancy into the mix and it can feel like you don’t know which way is up anymore. Balancing school, doctor’s appointments, and planning for your baby, it’s easy to forget one important thing: Your mental health.
It’s ok to feel scared, sad, or even angry as a pregnant teen. The journey to motherhood is complicated and there isn’t one “right” way to feel or do it. But the good news is that you don’t have to do it alone.
On this page, we’ll dive into the emotional side of teenage pregnancy, including:
- Coping with mental health issues during teen pregnancy
- Recognizing the signs of depression and anxiety
- Finding support for your mental health during pregnancy
- Exploring how to take care of your well-being
So, whether you’re a teen mom, or someone who cares about one, this is a safe space to learn about teen pregnancy and mental health.
Mental Health Challenges for Teen Mothers
You may be incredibly familiar with the physical changes that come with pregnancy. It’s often what people talk about most – swollen ankles, going to the toilet lots, morning sickness. But mental and emotional changes are equally frequent during pregnancy – especially if you’re a teenager. They’re just less talked about.
And when you think about it, it’s easy to see why. You’re facing extra stress from sleepless nights, trying to finish high school, making doctor’s appointments, and much more. Other factors that often affect mental health in teen moms include:
Worrying about people judging you- Feeling isolated or different from your peers
- Body image issues as your body changes to grow your baby
- Fear of what the future will bring
- The stigma of being a pregnant teen or a teenage mom
- Hormonal changes through pregnancy play havoc with your emotions
- Wondering who will be there to support you
- Pregnancy triggering mental health conditions
Yes, you read that final one correctly. Being pregnant can potentially trigger, or contribute to, new mental health challenges, known as perinatal mental health conditions. Did you know that the risks of depression during teen pregnancy are higher than if you are a teen who isn’t pregnant or a mother over the age of 20? Depression can affect up to 44% of teen moms, compared to up to 20% of non-pregnant teens or adult mothers.2,3
With well-being issues affecting so many young moms, it’s important to shine a light on mental health in teen pregnancy. That way, expectant mothers and new moms get the care and support they deserve, no matter their age.
Recognizing Signs of Depression and Anxiety in Teen Pregnancy
*Just so you know, there are certain terms used for mental health conditions while pregnant. If they begin during pregnancy, they are called prenatal conditions, whereas if they start after you give birth they are known as postpartum conditions. Anything from the time between becoming pregnant until postpartum (up to 12 months after giving birth) is a perinatal condition.*
Teen pregnancy mental health treatment is the key to feeling better, so it’s useful to know what signs to watch out for. Some of the most common symptoms of perinatal mood disorders in teens are:6
Feeling low, sad, or anxious- Feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness
- Feeling angry or irritable
- Crying
- Lack of interest in your baby
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- Sleep problems
- Appetite changes
- Thoughts of harming yourself or the baby
- Constantly worrying
- Racing thoughts
- Restlessness
- Trouble relaxing
- Dizziness
If you can relate to some of these, then we recommend talking to your healthcare professional about mental health in teen pregnancy. They can get to the bottom of what’s causing the issue, and support you in getting the right treatment for the well-being of yourself and your little one.
Why Mental Health Care for Teen Mothers Is Crucial
Unfortunately, as a young mom, your mental health care also affects others, including your child. Research shows that untreated mental health problems during pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of complications, the possibility of miscarriage, preterm birth, your baby having a low birth weight, or even brain development issues.7,8 Having perinatal anxiety or depression can also, in some instances, negatively affect your ability to bond with your baby.9
As you can see, getting support for mental health in teen pregnancy is a necessity. The earlier you can get help, the better. Fortunately, there are many treatments available for managing mental health symptoms. There are medications, such as antidepressants, that can improve your symptoms and make life feel easier to manage again. If you’re wondering about taking medication while pregnant, check out our article on the Safety of Antidepressants During Pregnancy.
Therapy for teen mothers is also an effective treatment for a range of mental health issues and doesn’t come with any side effects. If you’re interested in psychotherapy, have a look at our resource on The Best Therapy Options for Perinatal Mental Health Care.
Remember: Mental health conditions are treatable, whether you are pregnant or not. There’s no need for you to fight this battle alone. Help and support are available.
Coping Strategies for Teen Moms
Living with a condition such as depression or anxiety can feel overwhelming. So, we’ve got some practical coping strategies that you can use to make positive changes to your mental health.
Lifestyle Choices
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Sleep: A lack of sleep can make it feel really difficult to manage your emotions, so getting a good sleep routine going could have great knock-on effects on your mood.10- Exercise: It may be the last thing you want to do right now, but exercising releases lots of “feel good” chemicals that could really lift your mood.11 Plus, it can help you sleep, burn off adrenaline, or be a fun way to spend time with friends if you exercise together. And don’t worry, you don’t have to go for a run if you don’t want to. Any type of movement is good – stretching, walking, yoga, even dancing in your bedroom.
- Nutrition: Have you heard of “good mood” food? It’s a phrase used to describe certain foods that can give your well-being a boost. Eating plenty of fruit, veg, and whole grains can help reduce symptoms of depression.12-14
Emotion Regulation Techniques
Journaling is another useful one to have in your mental health toolkit. Writing your thoughts and feelings down can give your mood a boost and feel very cathartic.16
Grounding techniques are exercises that help you connect with the ‘here and now’ when you are feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. It lets you take a step back from the intensity so that you can have a breather. There are many different grounding exercises you could do, for example:
Putting your hands in water and focusing on how it feels- Breathing exercises, thinking the word “in” as you breathe in, and “out” as you breathe out
- Spending a few moments listening to the noises around you and trying to identify them
- Try the 5-4-3-2-1 method, which involves sitting in one place and listing:
- Five things you can see
- Four things you can touch
- Three things you can hear
- Two things you can smell
- One thing you can taste
Support Network
Having a network of trusted friends, family, adults, and healthcare professionals is worth its weight in gold when it comes to emotional support for teen mothers. Peer support for teen pregnancy mental health can be invaluable. Knowing that you have people to talk with, confide in, and trust makes the world of difference.
If you feel like you don’t have anyone close to you that you can talk to right now, perhaps you could look into joining a mental health support group for teens, pregnant teens, or teenage moms.
Professional Support
Sometimes, you need to call in the professionals. You could talk to your OB-GYN or doctor about any concerns you have. You may also see a therapist who specializes in counseling for pregnant teens, an effective treatment option for many people.
Healthcare professionals will be able to advise and help you access the proper treatment needed to manage mental health in teen pregnancy. If you’re not sure how to start the conversation, check out our resource on Talking to Your OB-GYN About Mental Health.
Hotlines for Teenage Perinatal Mental Health Support
Let’s admit it – sometimes we just really need someone to talk to. Listed below are some hotlines you can call when you need someone who will listen to you, understand what you’re going through, and give you some help along the way.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Line: Offers 24/7 free and confidential support for individuals in distress. Call 988.
- National Maternal Mental Health Hotline: Provides 24/7 free and confidential support for those who are pregnant or have recently had a baby. They can listen to you, connect you with local support groups, and refer you to other healthcare professionals if you need more help. Call or text 1-833-852-6262 (1-833-TLC-MAMA).
- Postpartum Support International (PSI): PSI has resources and support for people experiencing perinatal mental health conditions. They also have a helpline (non-emergencies only) you can call at 1-800-944-4773 and an app you can download.
If you are experiencing an emergency, call 911 or head to your nearest emergency room.
Seek Support at Mission Connection Today
Trying to manage your emotions and mental health in teen pregnancy can feel like herding cats. We all need some help from time to time. Someone who’s in your corner and has your best interests at heart. That’s where we come in.
At Mission Connection, our team of experts in perinatal mental health care is ready to help you on your road to recovery. No two people are the same, which is why we will create a treatment plan individualized to you and your goals. And, with our virtual therapy sessions, getting treatment has never been easier. Help is literally at your fingertips. Whether you are looking for advice, support groups, therapy, medication management, or 24/7 care, we are here to help you.
Are you ready to start your healing journey? Call us or contact us online to get the support you and your baby deserve.
References
- Congress. (2025, April 17). Teen births in the United States: overview and recent trends. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45184
- Hodgkinson, S., Beers, L., Southammakosane, C., & Lewin, A. (2013). Addressing the mental health needs of pregnant and parenting adolescents. PEDIATRICS, 133(1), 114–122. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2013-0927
- Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health. (2025, April 28). About maternal mental health disorders. https://policycentermmh.org/mmh-disorders/
- Peter, P. J., De Mola, C. L., De Matos, M. B., Coelho, F. M., Pinheiro, K. A., Da Silva, R. A., Castelli, R. D., Pinheiro, R. T., & Quevedo, L. A. (2016). Association between perceived social support and anxiety in pregnant adolescents. Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry, 39(1), 21–27. https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-4446-2015-1806
- Scholl, C. C., Trettim, J. P., Böhm, D. M., Molina, M. L., Soares, M. C., Da Costa Dias, N., De Paiva Soares Reyes, I., De Matos, M. B., De Miranda Justo, J. M. R., Pinheiro, R. T., & De Avila Quevedo, L. (2022). Are adolescents more likely to have antenatal anxiety disorders than adult women? A comparison between two samples. Journal of Affective Disorders, 316, 50–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2022.07.071
- Postpartum Support International. (2025, March 18). About perinatal mental health https://postpartum.net/perinatal-mental-health/
- Wu, Y., De Asis-Cruz, J., & Limperopoulos, C. (2024). Brain structural and functional outcomes in the offspring of women experiencing psychological distress during pregnancy. Molecular Psychiatry, 29(7), 2223–2240. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-024-02449-0
- Schofield, Z., & Kapoor, D. (2019). Pre-existing mental health disorders and pregnancy. Obstetrics Gynaecology & Reproductive Medicine, 29(3), 74–79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogrm.2019.01.005
- O’Dea, G. A., Youssef, G. J., Hagg, L. J., Francis, L. M., Spry, E. A., Rossen, L., Smith, I., Teague, S. J., Mansour, K., Booth, A., Davies, S., Hutchinson, D., & Macdonald, J. A. (2023). Associations between maternal psychological distress and mother-infant bonding: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Womens Mental Health, 26(4), 441–452. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01332-1
- Newsom, R. (2024, May 14). Depression and sleep. Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mental-health/depression-and-sleep
- Guo, Z., & Zhang, Y. (2022). Study on the Interactive Factors between Physical Exercise and Mental Health Promotion of Teenagers. Journal of Healthcare Engineering, 2022, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/4750133
- Bayes, J., Schloss, J., & Sibbritt, D. (2022). The effect of a Mediterranean diet on the symptoms of depression in young males (the “AMMEND: A Mediterranean Diet in MEN with Depression” study): a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 116(2), 572–580. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqac106
- Li, Y., Lv, M., Wei, Y., Sun, L., Zhang, J., Zhang, H., & Li, B. (2017). Dietary patterns and depression risk: A meta-analysis. Psychiatry Research, 253, 373–382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2017.04.020
- Tello, M. (2020, January 29). Diet and depression. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/diet-and-depression-2018022213309
- Kuyken, W., Warren, F. C., Taylor, R. S., Whalley, B., Crane, C., Bondolfi, G., Hayes, R., Huijbers, H. C., Williams, J. M. G., Byng, R., Dalgleish, T., Kessler, D., Lewis, G., Speckens, A., Teasdale, M., & Segal, Z. (2016). Efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in prevention of depressive relapse: An individual patient data meta-analysis from randomized trials. JAMA Psychiatry, 73(6), 565–574. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2016.0076
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