Is My Teen Struggling? A Parent's Guide to Youth Mental Health

When It Is More Than a Phase

Growing up is hard right now. Young people face pressure to perform at school and in sports, a phone that never stops buzzing, and news that can make the future feel shaky. Telling a struggling teen to toughen up or wait it out rarely helps. And reaching for just one tool, such as weekly talk therapy, can miss part of what is going on.

The numbers show how common this is. In the CDC's 2025 national survey of high school students, 33 percent said they had felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more that they stopped doing some usual activities. Rates were even higher among girls. Your child is not the only one, and neither are you.

Seeing the Whole Young Person

Distress in kids and teens can wear many faces. What looks like anxiety might be tangled up with too little sleep, skipped meals, bullying, a learning difference or loneliness. Mind, body and daily life all affect each other. A young person is one whole system.

That is good news, because it means there are several places to help at once. The right mix depends on the child.

The Kinds of Help That Work

Keep an open mind and a wide toolkit. Ask not only what is wrong, but what would help this young person do well.

For the mind. Cognitive behavioral therapy has strong evidence for anxiety and depression in young people. It helps them notice harsh, unhelpful thoughts and practice new ways of responding. For some, a psychiatrist may recommend medication alongside therapy.

For the body. Stress often shows up as stomachaches, headaches and trouble sleeping. A pediatrician should check these first. Sleep matters enormously for teen mood, so protecting a regular bedtime and keeping phones out of the bedroom at night can make a real difference. Regular meals and daily movement help too. A sports club or martial arts school gives exercise, structure and friends all at once, and a dance studio can suit kids who are not into team sports.

For daily life. Relationships shape how young people feel. A family therapist can help when conflict at home is adding to the strain. Belonging matters a lot at this age, whether that comes from a team, a club, a volunteer role or a faith community. Many families find support through a church or a Christian counselor who works with teens.

What Parents and Teachers Can Do Today

You are often the first to notice when something is off. Here is how to help:

• Listen more than you fix. Ask open questions like "What has that been like for you?" and resist jumping in with solutions. Feeling heard comes first.
• Watch for quiet signs. Struggles do not always look like sadness. Notice changes in sleep, appetite, grades, friendships and irritability, or dropping activities they used to love.
• Look for help together. Make finding support a team effort, not a punishment. Let them have a say in choosing a counselor or activity.
• Take talk of suicide seriously. If a young person talks about wanting to die or seems unsafe, stay with them and call or text 988 right away. For immediate danger, call 911.

You do not have to figure this out alone. Start with your child's doctor or school counselor, and search Live Well Map for teen specialists near you.

Find a Practitioner Who Gets It

Mental health is more than therapy. Find practitioners who understand the mind-body connection.

Search Directory

Stay Connected

Get insights on holistic mental wellness delivered to your inbox.

Subscribe