Updated: December 5, 2024
In today’s fast-paced digital world, developing healthy coping mechanisms for stress is more important than ever. Teen mental health faces new challenges, and understanding and developing healthy coping mechanisms for stress is more critical than ever. This revised article incorporates recent research and effective strategies to assist parents and teens in positively navigating social media, promoting resilience against stress.
Understanding the Current Trends in Teen Mental Health: Chronic Sadness
While updated statistics specific to the Placer County Teen Survey are currently unavailable, recent findings from the California Healthy Kids Survey (CALSCHS) for the years 2019-2021 highlight a concerning trend in teen mental health.. The report indicates an increase in chronic sadness across various age groups:
- In 7th grade, the prevalence of chronic sadness rose by two percentage points to 32%.
- In 9th grade, it increased by four percentage points to 37%.
- By 11th grade, the figure reached 42%, a rise of 5 percentage points.
Additionally, suicidal ideation remains a significant concern:
- 16% of 7th graders,
- 17% of 9th graders,
- and 16% of 11th graders reported seriously considering attempting suicide in the past year.
These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective stress management strategies and strong support systems to assist adolescents in navigating these challenges. Connecting with teenagers on familiar social media platforms is crucial for providing support and information.
Toxic Stress – Stress Management for Teens
Some stress is an inevitable part of life, and learning to deal with adolescent stress and to avoid preventable stress is good preparation for adulthood. Responding both positively and negatively to stress is learned through experience. When stress overwhelms the child or teen, it can lead to physiological changes, compromise the brain development and immune system, and lead to health problems later in life, including substance abuse, such as alcoholism.
A Center for Disease Control study on Childhood Stress with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services explains three types of stress: positive, tolerable and toxic. Toxic stress is chronic and can lead to health issues. “Toxic stress results from adverse experiences that may be sustained over a long time. This kind of stress can disrupt early brain development, compromise the functioning of important biological systems, and lead to long-term health problems.” Along those lines, consider texting and social media as an example of chronic teen stress that can be like peer pressure on steroids and inspire high anxiety.
Concerns about Social Media Resulting in Toxic Stress that Will Harm Young People
While there is no single reference that directly links too much time online or the use of social media with “toxic stress.” A growing body of research explores how these aspects of social media—cyberbullying, social comparison, and sleep disruption—can contribute to chronic stress and, when combined with a lack of supportive relationships, can create a situation akin to toxic stress, impacting a teen’s long-term well-being.
For instance:
- Cyberbullying and Online Harassment: There’s evidence that experiencing cyberbullying, online harassment, or threats can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, depression, and even PTSD-like symptoms. This prolonged stress response can be considered a form of toxic stress.
- Social Comparison and Peer Influence: Constant exposure to “perfect online personas” and the pressure to maintain a perfect online image leads to feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and chronic stress and contributes to a state of heightened stress.
Social Media Dual Impact on Teen Stress
While much is discussed about the negative aspects of social media, it’s important to recognize that social media has also had very positive effects on certain teen communities. For instance, a 2024 national survey by Hopelab reveals that while social media presents risks to teen’s mental health, it can also offer benefits. Unfortunately, Sadly, reports of negative experiences often overshadow the positive impacts. Some suspect these positive impacts remain hidden because the communities experiencing benefits are often marginalized.
Social media’s impact on LGBTQ+ youth is multifaceted: it provides crucial spaces for connection and self-affirmation but also poses a greater risk of experiencing harassment and stress. Similarly, young people with depressive symptoms are more vulnerable to social comparison and the pressure to present their best selves on social media. However, they are also more likely to discover resources to support their well-being and actively curate their feeds to avoid undesirable content.
“In 2018, I created the “Teenager Therapy” podcast, which quickly became the world’s #1 youth mental health podcast, with over one million followers and 14 million streams. While not traditional therapy, my group of friends and I spent four years recording episodes documenting the raw and vulnerable conversations we had during our coming-of-age.” says Gael Aitor, podcaster, digital creator and advocate for youth mental health.
Building on insights from influencers like Gael Aitor, parents are encouraged to engage in open discussions with their teens about social media usage, guiding them on harnessing these platforms for positive self-expression and support while avoiding potential stressors.
Parenting Teens and Stress
How to Help Your Teen Manage Stress
- Build Strong Supportive Relationships: Encourage teens to identify and connect with trusted adults—parents, family members, teachers, and mentors—who provide a sense of safety and security.
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Teach and Practice Stress Management Techniques: Introduce teens to relaxation techniques like deep breathing, mindfulness exercises, or progressive muscle relaxation. Encourage them to find physical activities they enjoy, such as sports, dancing, or yoga.
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Create Safe and Stable Environments: Work to reduce sources of stress in the teen’s environment. This might involve addressing family conflict, providing structure and predictability, or seeking support for financial or housing instability.
We are now seeing more community and national efforts to support teen overall wellness as more evidence is found that connects social media with the teen mental health crisis. To address these concerns more government agencies are issuing health warnings or passing new legislation.
Local and National Resources to Help Parents Support Teen Mental Health & Wellness
Local organizations and national initiatives offer valuable support for teen mental health. In Placer County, for example, Community Programs for Youth (CPY) has been instrumental in promoting youth wellness. As CPY Director Christina Ivazes explains, “CPY hosts free quarterly workshops and forums for the Placer County, working in collaboration with many agency partners to enhance well-being.” We encourage you to check with your local county agencies, as they frequently offer mental health programs for teens and parents.
Beyond local efforts, several key national initiatives are also making a significant impact:
- Youth Homelessness System Improvement (YHSI) Grants (HUD) – These grants help reduce homelessness among young people by supporting strategies that include mental health services.
- Youth Mental Health Initiatives by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Their strategies involve promoting well-being, educating on mental health, strengthening systems, and engaging communities to enhance outcomes..
These programs demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting youth well-being on multiple levels. Parents can access resources and connect with local organizations that utilize these grants for mental health services and family support programs.
Supporting Teens Through Chronic Stress: The Turning Winds Approach
In this evolving landscape of teen mental health, Turning Winds continues to adapt and respond to the needs of today’s youth. Reflecting on the insights shared and the emerging initiatives discussed, we see our role as more crucial than ever. We encourage parents and teens struggling with stress, social media or technology dependence, and their related symptoms to connect with us. Let’s explore individualized treatment plans to help teens experiencing anxiety, depression, self-harm, and substance misuse as they start a healing journey and learn to manage their stress symptoms.
Our therapeutic program utilizes a unique hybrid blend of therapeutic and educational strategies to equip teens with coping mechanisms and build resilience. Discover how Turning Winds can help navigate these turbulent times and promote long-term wellness.
The Examiner and Christina Ivazes previously published a portion of this article, the new Director/Coordinator of CoalitionforPlacerYouth.
