Common Problems for Teens in 2022

It feels like we are in a world that is perpetually in chaos and crisis. As adults, it can be overwhelming to see near-constant messages of doom and gloom through news outlets and social media. We don’t always take a moment to think about how current affairs impact our teens. In truth, today’s teens face a plethora of concerns that reach beyond thinking about prom, the big game on Friday, their college choices, and their career path. Teens are faced with unique problems and are very much influenced by the world around them.

Pandemic anxiety

The need to deal with a global pandemic has taken a toll on most of us, if we’re honest. It makes sense that our teens are struggling with everything that they’ve needed to adjust to and cope with. Changes at school, changes in relationships, and lifestyle, can all take a toll on the mental wellness of your teen. Your teen may have anxiety about the virus itself, wearing a mask, or no longer needing to wear a mask. They may have anxiety about the unknown when it comes to returning to school, after perhaps not having seen their teachers, coaches, and peers for well over a year.

War worries and threats

The Russian invasion of Ukraine took many adults by complete surprise. We’ve watched the news stories and the social media coverage that has permeated almost every aspect of our lives. For a teen seeing the same news and coverage can inspire a fair amount of anxiety and fear. Talk of worsening war, global consequences, and nuclear worries can all take a toll on a teen who doesn’t quite know how to handle all of this information. They may worry for themselves, their loved ones, and those they don’t know. Parents will not indeed be able to tell their teens that they have nothing to worry about because there is news coverage speaking to the contrary. It’s an uncertain and scary world, which can be very hard for a teen to cope.

Global issues

Beyond the threats of another world war and nuclear war and a global pandemic, teens are flooded with information about global issues that they have no control over. Global warming, animals going extinct, famine, people hurting others. Teens may struggle with a sense of helplessness.

Concerns at school

School can often be a source of stress and concern for teens, particularly if they have been struggling with other problems at the same time. Your teen could be struggling with trying to keep up with a heavy workload or may simply not understand the work as is being explained to him. Working with teachers and counselors can help teens get back on track. Schools often have programs and opportunities for accommodations for students who are struggling.

Pressure from peers and relationships

Peer pressure is nothing new. Neither are problems in teen relationships. Your teen may struggle with peer pressure related to smoking, using drugs, drinking alcohol, skipping school, criminal activity, and even sex. Teens do often feel that if they are not sexually active then they are somehow developmentally behind their peers. Feeling pressured by their romantic interest can often lead to an increase in the stress that they are feeling about it. Dealing with peer and relationship pressure goes beyond simply learning to say no. Teens need to learn how to recognize situations where they are being unduly pressured into a situation. They also need to know healthy coping mechanisms to get them through these high-pressure phases.

Mental health concerns

Watching the news, reading endless pieces of content on social media, and listening to others talk can lead a teen to feel quite overwhelmed and helpless about the problems in the world. It’s understandable for your teen to feel a fair bit of anxiety. He may also start to feel depressed and overly stressed. Combined problems and an inability to cope can be pretty troublesome for a teen. You may find yourself with a teen facing a mental health crisis and suicidal ideations. Parents mustn’t hesitate to get help for their teens, at the first sign of a mental health struggle. With the correct type of counseling and other therapeutic solutions, your teen can learn the right coping skills to help him get through each of the problems he struggles with. When teens are given the opportunity to get a fresh start, get the right type of treatments and therapeutic programs, they are often able to work through these common problems in a healthy way. A residential treatment center can often prove to be the right solution for struggling teens and teens who find themselves in crisis.