Anxiety, Isolation, and Confusion: Welcome to the Teenage Mental Health Crisis

By: Ava DeJesus

High schoolers across the country are facing a hidden course beyond academics: managing mental health in the aftermath of a pandemic. Gone are the days when teenage angst was the only issue; today's teens are facing the wave of anxiety, isolation, and confusion.

It's an all too familiar scenario a once lively student retreats into silence, a star athlete's performance begins to fail, or sleep patterns become erratic. The environment of high school, with its social hierarchies and academic pressures, has now become a more complex maze. Teens are navigating this maze under the watchful eyes of a society quick to judge based on appearance, identity, and actions.

The data speaks for itself: a staggering percentage of families believe that these behavioral changes in teens have to do with the school setting. However, this one-sided blame often overlooks the multifaceted nature of mental health, which is influenced by home and family dynamics, peer relationships, and self-identity.

"Mental Health Statistics reveal that our battles aren't just hormonal. The social landscape we walk every day is littered with emotional landmines," states the report, pinpointing the sources of teen stress that have only intensified post-Covid-19.

Medical experts voice a growing concern about recognizing signs of distress, which are frequently missed by parents and teachers until crisis point. Jasmine Salazar, a Junior from DaVinci Science, candidly shares her journey of her mental health. "When the world locked down, so did my ability to express myself. It took a doctor's visit to consider therapy, something I wasn't eager to start," she admits.

Jasmine's narrative isn't an isolated story among teens. In fact, it reflects an all to common storyline where teens have been quietly battling mental health issues. Fortunately, the pandemic, while a disruptor, also ushered in new coping mechanisms.

"Breathing exercises were my initial go-to, but they didn't stick. Now, I find refuge in doodling and creative writing when emotions run high," Jasmine reveals, showcasing the adaptability of teens in the face of adversity.

Despite this picture, the therapeutic community offers beacons of hope with simple, accessible strategies for teen emotional management as follows:

Journaling: An escape route through words, allowing teens to freely express themselves.

Decluttering: A tidy room or desk equals a tidied mind, creating an oasis of calm.

Music: A universal language for soothing the soul, channeling emotions instead of hurtful actions.

Solitude: Sometimes, a moment of quiet is the best defense against the angst of teenage rage.

These tools offered are more than advice it shows teens that while the struggle is real, it is shared and can be overcome. As we face this challenging time, we are reminded: in our journey of growth, we are never alone.