The Hidden Crisis: Why Teen Mental Health is Spiraling Out of Control

The Alarming Mental Health Crisis: Staggering Rise in Depression and Anxiety

The alarming rise in teen mental health issues is a growing concern that demands our immediate attention. Disturbingly, studies show a staggering increase in the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and even suicide among young people in recent years.

• • 32% of adolescents have experienced an anxiety disorder, and approximately 8% have a severe impairment. ^[1]

• • 33% of teenage girls in the 10th grade have seriously considered attempting suicide. 

The statistics are genuinely harrowing – teen suicide rates have skyrocketed, with mental health challenges becoming increasingly common among our youth. 

Immense social and academic pressures compound this crisis, often overwhelming today’s teenagers and leaving them feeling helpless. As parents, we must act now to help our youth get comprehensive and essential mental health care and provide our teens with the resources they desperately need. 

Complacency is no longer an option. The mental well-being of our teens hangs in the balance, and being proactive makes all the difference. Often, without intending to, parents can overlook early warning signs of distress. We are naturally optimistic about our children and may dismiss fluctuations in their behavior as typical teenage struggles. 

When behaviors seem erratic or atypical, we cling to the hope that it is merely being a teen. Other times, we miss the signs because our children are very good at hiding their emotions, or they might hide their feelings to avoid worrying us. Consequently, we find ourselves living with a teenager who behaves very differently when we are out of sight. 

In 2021, there was a 51% increase in emergency room visits by adolescents for suicide attempts. Even more frightening, in 2022, the number of ER visits for suspected suicide rose by 22.3% compared to the same period the previous year.

Why Do Teenagers Hide Their Mental Struggles?

Teenagers hide their mental health struggles from their parents and others because they fear judgment, do not want to appear weak, or do not have the language to express their emotions. 

The Fear of Being Labeled as Unstable

Some youths fear the stigma that can come with openly acknowledging their mental health challenges or emotional turmoil. We have a societal expectation for teenagers to appear strong, resilient, and in control, leaving little room for vulnerability. Tragically, this makes many teens mask their true feelings, unwilling to risk being perceived as weak or incapable. 

The Inability to Express What They Feel

Furthermore, some adolescents do not have the emotional awareness and the language to articulate the complex emotions they are experiencing. Without the proper tools and support to identify and express their inner turmoil, they grapple with their problems in isolation. 

This silence can have devastating consequences, as untreated issues often escalate and lead to more serious mental health concerns down the line. 

How Can Parents Empower Their Teens To Discuss Their Concerns? 

Addressing the root causes of this “hidden” struggle – is imperative. Parents need to make their teenagers feel comfortable to share their fears and teach them the necessary skills to identify what they are feeling and learn how to express it. Similarly, parents need to know not to dismiss what they hear as “complaining” or “whining” and instead ask more questions without making their child feel defensive. 

Open dialogue and trust between the parent and teen are crucial in empowering teens to seek help, access resources, and ultimately overcome their mental health challenges.

 

What Signs Should Parents Look For?

When it comes to children’s well-being, parents must be vigilant and attuned to any potential warning signs. They should also be mindful of certain behaviors and changes as children navigate the complexities of growing up.

• • Sudden shifts in mood

• • Withdrawal from social activities

• • Sudden decline in academic performance

• • changes in sleeping patterns, appetite, or personal hygiene 

If you notice these changes in behavior in your teen, investigate further. It is crucial for parents to approach these situations with empathy and create a safe space for their children to express their thoughts and feelings. 

The best way to intervene is by staying observant and responsive. After you discuss what’s happening with your teenager, get professionals involved. A counselor or coach can help the teen develop skills to care for themselves and provide you with invaluable insights and resources to address the underlying issues. 

The Unique Pressures Teen Face Today

Social Media Cause Anxiety and Stress

Another growing concern is the profound effect and unique pressures social media has on teen mental health, especially girls. Unlike previous generations, our daughters are exposed to unrealistic expectations that damage their self-esteem and add pressure to “look and be better, get more Likes, ♥️ and comments. There’s a lot of unspoken anxiety as they wait to see how their posts are received by not just their friends but also their peers in school. 

How Academic Pressure Fuels Teen Stress

Academic stress is at an all-time high, with teenagers feeling immense pressure to excel and meet societal expectations. Teachers’ and parents’ expectations, homework, exams and all of the extracurricular activities create stress and anxiety. Getting a poor grade or failing a test creates feelings of inadequacy. 

We’ve instilled in children the importance of college in achieving life success, so when they do poorly or if they have trouble in certain subjects, they see themselves as possibly failing in life; this hopelessness often becomes the perfect ingredient for depression and self-harm. 

The Dangerous Mix: Peer Pressure, Bullying and Hormones 

Peer pressures, comparing themselves to others and striving to be accepted, the best, or the top, combined with balancing all of their responsibilities—academic, social, family, sports or clubs—can be overwhelming. It is a perfect storm of challenges! 

Now let’s add to it the prevalence of bullying, body image issues, and hormones, and you have a ticking time bomb that can lead to the development of severe mental health conditions.

As mentioned earlier, these teenagers don’t have the emotional maturity or vocabulary to express their feelings. They need to be able to rely on their parents to provide the support and resources they need today to help them navigate these turbulent times.

The Mental Health Teen Crisis: Why Teens Can’t Get Help

It’s heartbreaking to see the alarming rise in mental health issues among our teens while there is such a shortage and need for mental health professionals. I read the other day that we need three times as many psychiatrists to treat the current youth population. There is also a shortage of therapists, especially in non-metro areas.^[5] 

A friend of mine, an RN in an emergency room, told me about a heartbreaking case. A 15- 15-year-old girl was brought in by her parents. They’d been unable to find in-treatment placement despite therapy clearly not being enough. This was her second suicide attempt in less than six months. After a brief stay, she was released back to her parents with a referral to a psychiatrist. 

My friend said the saddest part was the fear that the girl might succeed next time. Even after just a few minutes with her, it was clear she was determined to try again. Unfortunately, the psychiatrist we referred her to has a long waiting list for new patients.

Across the country, access to mental treatment is limited and expensive, with long wait lists, and I hate to say it, but it is often inadequate. This generation is being affected and left to suffer in silence and frequently alone. 

Act Now: Preventing the Consequences of Neglecting Teen Mental Health Issues

Sadly, we don’t realize the extent of our teenagers’ struggles until they are at a crisis point. Getting them the right help early is crucial for their mental health and future. With the proper mental health treatment and support, teens can develop the skills to overcome their behavioral and emotional struggles and thrive.  

Without help, your teenager can go from: 

• • Failing grades to school refusal and isolation.

• • Drug misuse to substance abuse.

• • Anxiety and depression to self-harm.

The cascading effects of unaddressed mental health issues in adolescence are both heartbreaking and far-reaching. The time to act is before more lives are needlessly lost or irreparably damaged. This generation deserves our compassion and the resources to find healing.