Can you imagine what it’s like to be a teen these days? I had enough angst and drama WITHOUT a cell phone and social media.
There is so much pressure today to: get perfect SAT scores……….get accepted into every college…………..have lots of great friends that you can show off on Instagram………..be great at every sport/activity you do………..figure out exactly what you want to do for a living at 18 years old………………………excuse me, what?!!
12% of teens in the United States have suicidal thoughts…12%! Teen suicide is linked to depression, low self-esteem, social isolation, and hopelessness. If 12% of teens feels this way and are thinking about suicide, how many teens struggle with these feelings on a daily basis?! Studies have linked adolescents to react to events more sensitively, angrily, dramatically, and impulsively…. adolescents are also more suggestible than any other population (and with social media and the internet, there are so many opportunities for teens to be suggestible).
Look, I’m giving you the worst of the worst statistics here…but on a daily basis, teens are struggling with a lot more anxiety, low self-esteem, and hopelessness than any of us would like to admit. If you’re worried about your teen, check out some warning signs here.
Counseling for teens can be a great space for them to get away from the pressures of society, to learn skills and techniques to manage their emotions, and to help have a broader world view which leads to increased resilience.
Here’s some extra support/resources for your struggling teen:
National Suicide Prevention Hotline 1-800-273-8255