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Teens are part of a vulnerable group when it comes to mental health. From surging hormones, navigating their identity and dealing with rapid changes happening in society around them—the pressures that teens face today has made more American teens feel sad and hopeless than ever.
What Causes Teen Sadness? The Context of The Typical American Teen
A recent poll found that nearly 87% of Gen Z teens across the US struggle with their mental health. The teen years can be a sensitive period of development marked by changing hormones and the emergence of underlying mental health problems such as depression or anxiety.
American teens also face challenges in their communities such as gun violence, social injustice and climate change. These issues have caused growing anxiety for teens about the state of their future.
On top of the major societal issues in America’s political landscape, teens face personal problems such as academic pressure, finding a job, family conflict and negative self-body image.
Teens today also face the new challenge of growing up in a fast-paced digital world. The rise in social media has played a large role in the mental health, confidence and self-perception of teens. Teens see the lives of influencers or edited Instagram posts that don’t always reflect reality. Without context, teens may feel inferior and added pressure to fit in.
The Struggles of A Teen Girl
Teen girls have higher rates of reported sadness, with 1 in 4 girls 12-17 reporting they have seriously contemplated suicide. Teenage girls tend to hit puberty faster than boys, making them more prone to mood swings or feelings of hopelessness.
Estrogen, the primary hormone in women, tends to surge as a teen. This can cause sadness, irritability and symptoms of depression. Girls also tend to face higher rates of childhood sexual, physical and emotional abuse which can all come to the surface during the teenage years.
The socialization of girls also plays a role in their perceived struggles. Anxious, sad or teen girls with mental health problems are more likely to express themselves through signs we associate with sadness (crying spells, isolation, self-harm, etc). Teen girls may also be more likely to reach out for help and talk about their mental health problems than boys, who have been socialized to have a tough outer shell.
The Struggles of A Teen Boy
Teen boys also go through similar challenges with their mental health. Testosterone surges in teenage boys. Unlike estrogen, testosterone is associated with higher rates of aggression. This can make teen boys more prone to getting in fights, vandalism or even legal troubles.
Teen boys that feel sadness, hopelessness or anxiety may be more likely to mask their feelings. This is partly due to how teen boys are socialized. Teenage boys are taught to have a tougher shell and cover their feelings, to not be perceived as “weak” or “emotional”.
How Many American Teens Are Sad?
The United States is experiencing a mental health crisis among teens. From 2009, to 2021 the number of teens feeling “persistently sad and hopeless” rose from 26% to 44% according to a study from the CDC.
And according to Mental Health America:
- 20% of teens 12-17 have suffered with at least one depressive episode
- 25% of teens 12-17 have suffered with at least one anxious episode
What Can We Do To Help Them?
While mood swings and occasional sadness can be normal for teens, it’s important for parents to be mindful of their teen’s emotions to keep problems from escalating into serious mental health problems. Some tips for parents to support their teens struggling with their mental health include:
- Let your teen know it’s okay to feel sad or be depressed
- Have open conversations about mental health
- Educate yourself on teen depression
- Help your teen build a self-care routine
- Promote mindfulness in the home (yoga, meditation, journaling)
- Get them involved in social activities
- Find something you & your teen can do together (go on a hike, cook, bike ride, watch a movie)
Seeking Professional Help
If you identify warning signs of a mental health problem in your teen, reach out for professional support to help find the best plan of treatment.
At Clearfork Academy our team of compassionate, licensed therapists understands the complex nature of teens. Reach out to our Admissions team to learn more.
Sources
Youth Mental Health. 2023. Mental Health America.
Mental Health of Adolescents. World Health Organization.
Mike grew up on a dairy farm in Parker County, Texas. At the age of 59, he went back to college and graduated 41 years after his first graduation from Weatherford College. God placed on his heart at that time the passion to begin to help others as they walked from addictions, alcoholism, and abuse of substances. He is a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and in the past few years he has worn many hats, from intake and assessment, group counseling, individual and family counseling, intensive outpatient and now he is working with clients, therapist, and families on discharge planning and aftercare. He also coordinates our Alumni Outreach Program.
