Never before in modern history have our teenagers been under so much pressure—academic pressure, social pressure, emotional pressure. You name it, they feel it.
The climate changes at the beginning of the school year in our house. I can feel the tension creeping back into my children’s lives. Assignments are due, there are standardized tests to take for college, and don’t forget about all the workarounds—fitting school around a job, extracurriculars and community service.
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In addition to this, they are trying to keep up with the Jones’ on social media, proving to everyone they are having a fabulous social life. While as parents we may not feel like we are pressuring our kids, they are putting intense pressure on themselves.
It’s no wonder that our teenagers are experiencing record high levels of anxiety and depression. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 9% of teens suffer from some type of anxiety disorder. Untreated anxiety is strongly linked to depression. As many as 15% of teenagers have some symptoms of depression at any given time.
Both anxiety and depression can be crippling for young people and adults. There are a variety of treatments for these issues ranging from therapy to medication to positive lifestyle changes, but at the root of it all is creating open channels of communication with our children. As a society, we need to acknowledge our unmitigated success-driven culture is putting our children’s mental health at risk.
I would challenge all adults to not only look in your own home for signs of teenagers who need your help but look outside your home. Look in your extended family, look in your neighborhood, look in your children’s school.
Because these problems are so widespread, I believe it will take a “village approach” to solve them as well as a cultural shift. We need to let young people know they are good enough. It’s not because of their grades, their accomplishments, or what college they get into. It’s because they are unique, they are loved, and they all have a special purpose in life even if they don’t know it yet.
We know it, and we need to let them know this every single day …
Amanda is the mom of two, a reporter for WRAL-TV and the author of several books including some on motherhood. Find her here on Mondays.