By Clove Morgan
Our adults are only getting younger. It sounds like a plot to a Goosebumps episode where every parent is turned into a baby, but I promise that’s not what I mean. Teenagers today are dealing with the same pressures that are typical of grown adults in their mid-twenties and beyond. Between school, adopting new life skills, and preparing to make some of the first life-long decisions a young person can face, it is no surprise that anxiety and depression are at an all-time high. In fact, the American Psychological Association (APA) has said: “We are facing a national mental health crisis that could yield serious health and social consequences for years to come.”
Don’t let that declaration frighten you. The mental health crisis is very much our reality, but it is also one that can be dealt with. There are a plethora of resources out there to learn the extent to which teenagers are dealing with stress in their day-to-day lives. The majority of teens today have to cope with conditions like depression and anxiety, some even having severe symptoms of PTSD, identity struggles, and more. This issue isn’t new either; in 2014, APA conducted a study confirming that teenage stress levels rival that of adults. What is most jarring about this is recognizing the difference in lifestyles between these age groups. Adults have careers, families, and finances that generate anxiety. Which begs the question: what do teens have to be so worried about?
I think we have all been in that same argument with our parents or any older relative. They say we have nothing to worry about because we’re not in the “real world” yet–whatever that means. In some ways, they’re right because the majority of teenagers are dependent on their parents until they begin to take on their own responsibilities. However, there is a certain type of anxiety that plagues a lot of today’s youth on the whole.
What is most unique about Gen Z is that we are the first entirely electronic generation. Electronics broaden our reach from the time we’re infants as we grow into technology and advance alongside it. As the internet is relatively new, controls and limitations on content exposure haven’t yet been fully explored. This leads to an overwhelming amount of kids and teens witnessing media that may not be age-appropriate, on top of the ability to connect with just about anyone worldwide. It is possible early exposure could lend itself to desensitization–essentially causing a despondence to otherwise emotionally evocative or graphic content.
Teenagers in the present have adapted to intensity in all of its forms. From breaking stories on the news of catastrophe and devastating loss to facing the decision of higher education that has been placed on the shoulders of teens for decades. So, how can we combat the mental pressures that accompany adolescence?
There are a ton of sources that provide help on a professional level. Therapy and counseling are not only recommended but heavily encouraged for anyone undergoing major changes, and nothing is quite like the shift from childhood to adulthood. For some, though, therapy isn’t a viable option. Whether the obstacle is financial, familial, or a result of nerves–it’s okay!–there are still plenty of options to look into.
I always found that my heart and mind felt the lightest when I sought authenticity. Our days are so often consumed by work, school, trends, research, and practically everything that can contribute to isolation, whether it’s mental or physical. Having a support system that’s grounding and tangible is the most important part of making peace with change and stress as you go. So make plans with loved ones, friends, and family members, especially one-on-one time. Having that interpersonal connection could lead you to a deeper conversation that may just satisfy that need to confide in someone else.
Finding hobbies outside of technology is
equally as essential. These not only offer you a break from the social expectations that breach the barriers of the screen but are stimulating in a way that allows your mind to focus on something beyond excessive self-comparison that may otherwise occur scrolling through social media. Plus, the sense of accomplishment that comes with a non-tech hobby is a reward in and of itself. Pick up a book, start crocheting, pull out a mixing bowl, and get to baking–whatever it may be, set time aside for it from time to time!
The real world is intimidating enough on its own, but to be a teenager today, you’re not only exposed to it early, but you’re also trying to find out who you are at the same time. Give yourself a break when you can, and don’t be too hard on yourself, even if it feels like everything is against you. A tough conclusion to come to is the realization that you’re not alone while being able to see that you’re not like any other person. You can find out who you are day by day or minute by minute. There is no rush to perfect your identity at a young age, and mistakes are bound to happen–just try to find safety nets along the way. Individuality and community are not mutually exclusive; the sooner you learn to trust yourself then, the sooner you will trust others to guide you as well.
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