"The CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2023) found that 40 percent of high school students reported persistent sadness or hopelessness, and 20 percent of adolescents ages 12-17 reported ongoing worry or anxiety in the prior two weeks."
"Teen moodiness can reflect a normally developing brain under stress rather than pathology or parental failure—but the difference can be hard to discern."
"Suicide remains a leading cause of death among youth ages 10-24, a sobering reminder of the stakes."
"Attuned and reliable caregivers can have a significant buffering effect during adolescence."
Caregivers face challenges in distinguishing normal adolescent moodiness from concerning behaviors. High rates of sadness, anxiety, and suicide risk among teens highlight a mental health crisis. The adolescent brain undergoes significant changes, making this period one of vulnerability and opportunity. Reliable caregivers can provide essential support, buffering against mental health issues. Routine monitoring of growth and development remains important, even as tracking milestones becomes more complex during adolescence.
Read at Psychology Today
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