Why Teen Depression, Anxiety and Stress is Climbing During COVID-19

If you were struggling with your teen prior March of 2020 with mental health issues, chances are your concerns have doubled if not tripled. More and more parents are worried about their teen's emotional wellbeing since COVID-19 shutdown our country.


From remote learning to social distancing and even wearing masks -- the new normal of everyday life is taking a toll not only on young people but on adults too.

New research shares that over half, 55% of teens are now experiencing anxiety, 45% are struggling with excessive stress and 43% are depressed.

Key findings:

  • 81% of teens say mental health is a significant issue for young people in the U.S., and 64% of teens believe that the experience of COVID-19 will have a lasting impact on their generation’s mental health.
  • In this stressful climate, 7 in 10 teens have experienced struggles with mental health.
  • 61% of teens said that COVID-19 pandemic has increased their feeling of loneliness.
  • Teens today report spending 75% of their waking hours on screens during COVID-19.
Teens are dealing with a variety of emotional challenges, such as fitting in socially, defining their identity, and dealing with the changing demands and realities of school and home life due to COVID-19. Some teens have added stressors and burdens during this time, including financial concerns, family conflicts, and trauma or violence in their home and community.

It's characteristic of teens to display mood swings, distressing thoughts, anxiety and impulsive behavior, leading many parents to wonder whether what they are observing is typical teenage behavior or signifies something more concerning.

Signs of depression or suicide ideation


Teens can be reluctant to share their thoughts with parents, especially if they believe their parents are stressed out too. It's important to be aware that teens typically display subtle warning signs through their behavior, conversations and even social media content.

  • Hopelessness, crying spells, persistent sadness and anxiety
  • Disinterest in personal hygiene and appearance
  • Engagement in high-risk behaviors, self-injury, verbal or physical aggression, or substance use
  • Preparatory behaviors such as writing a goodbye letter or post on social media, giving away possessions, researching methods for harming themselves or securing ways to harm themselves (e.g., collecting pills, obtaining a firearm, etc.)
If you feel your teen is suffering with depression contact a local adolescent therapist. It's always helpful to use your insurance policy for a referral to have the most beneficial financial coverage. 

Once you've exhausted your local resources and you believe your teen is still struggling, residential therapy might be an option for you. Contact us for more information. 


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