Post-Covid Living – Today’s Teens Are Not Okay

We all know that children and teens are resilient. They can often take on the challenges they face with a strength that many adults struggle to find. This can also mean that we tend to forget to check in with our kids of all ages when things seem rough.  The covid-19 pandemic threw us all for a loop, and that can’t be denied. For children and teens who see their school, social, and family lives turned upside down, the consequences may be far-reaching. When last did you check in with your teen to find out how he is coping? Have you noticed behavioral and mental health changes in your teen?

The post-covid world and today’s youth

Many young people have lost members of their family or social circle due to the pandemic. Loss can hit us differently, but it can be incredibly traumatic for a child or teen. As if the loss was not enough of a source of trauma for teens, the post-covid era also brought a few remarkable changes that teens are not always prepared to cope with.

•       School closures led to academic challenges and changes that may have seen your teel falling behind. A teen thriving in school with a bright academic future may now be faced with a range of struggles trying to get himself back on track. Even returning to school and a sense of normalcy could present many problems for teens who have struggled to learn at home.
•       Canceled events, such as spring formals and prom, can make teens feel like they missed out on some of the most significant milestones of their high school years. Your teen may have missed out on playing football or appearing in the school play. The loss of these events can take a toll on a teen who finds enjoyment and even passion in these types of events. 
•       Separation from friends could lead to struggles within friendships, resulting in teens feeling even more isolated once they return to school. Their friends may have moved away or may be homeschooled now, even in the wake of lockdown. For teens, their friendships play a crucial role in their development and overall outlook on life.

The closures and changes to life and lifestyle were essential, but they also played a role in robbing today’s teens of some of the capstones of their most critical formative years. It also led to an atmosphere infused with anxiety and uncertainty for some teens who didn’t know what their future should or could look like now. The pandemic was more than sufficient to throw teens off balance, but the past few years have seen a deluge of news stories that have captivated the nation. You may not have noticed how the news stories about violence, angry mobs, and covid-related concerns have taken a toll on your teen’s mental health. 

Common concerns seen in today’s teens

You may recognize some changes in your teens, but you may just be surprised at how much if a toll the pandemic took on your teen. Some of the issues seen in today’s teens could include the following.

•       The introduction of anxiety or an increase seen in existing anxiety.
•       An acceleration of depression or new signs of depression.
•       Feelings of hopelessness.
•       Preferring to continue isolating from family and friends.
•       Struggling with academics.
•       Giving in to peer pressure, whether drugs, alcohol or sexual activity.

What can you do to help your teen?

One of the best things that parents can do with a struggling teen is to remind them that they can always come to you. The lines of communication should always be open, with a lack of judgment. It’s easy to judge some of your teen's decisions, but doing so won’t really make him feel comfortable enough to open up to you. Start going to family and individual counseling. You may just be surprised at how much counseling can help your family. You may also be able to find peer support groups that can help your teen work through some of the concerns he’s struggling with. Teens struggling academically may benefit from one-on-one tutoring and extra credit projects assigned to them by their teachers. You can pursue several solutions to help your teen through his struggles, including a residential treatment center that can address his issues. If your teen has been struggling with life post covid, it could be that a residential treatment center is just what he needs. At Liahona, we offer teens a safe, structured, and nurturing environment that can help them work through their mental health and behavioral concerns. Whether your teen has been struggling to keep up with school, is experimenting with drugs and alcohol, or is perhaps facing a struggle with depression and anxiety, Liahona can offer a treatment solution to help him get back to normal.