Teens are more stressed and anxious, but don’t know why

The teenage years can be tough, marked with physical and emotional changes, new choices and responsibilities, and evolving relationships with the people who surround us. But a recent report shows that hormones aren’t the only thing troubling the teen years; young people are increasingly showing a general inability to identify the source of their angst and pain. These results have serious implications for those who care for kids.

A review of more than 830,000calls, text messages, emails and chats received by the Boys Town National Hotline since 2012 has shown a clear trend: Teens are struggling more than ever with anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide. The combined mental anguish among teens contacting the hotline has spiked 12 percent in the last five years alone.

The finding is twofold: encouraging and troubling.

It is undeniably positive that more kids are seeking help when they feel sad or worried. It’s important they know that whether they are anxious, depressed or worse, an open ear of a trained professional is just a phone call away. And with the hotline’s addition of text messaging and chat options, worried teens have even more available options to reach out.

On the other hand, it is troubling that youth are less able to express the cause of their mental pain, whereas teens five years ago were able to attribute their angst to problems with family, friends or romantic relationships. The increased pace of life creates more stress for kids and allows less time to cope. Technology has provided valuable tools for gathering information and connecting, but at the expense of another important connection: the connection to family.

But, in the increasing pace of today’s world, how can we help teens who struggle to understand exactly why they are struggling? Part of the solution, it seems, is as simple as it is revolutionary: Reducing our schedule, putting down our phones, and listening.

Here are some basic steps to engage and support teens:

Look for the signs. Changes inyour child’s behavior, mood or overall desire to do things - aswell as physical changes like headaches or problems eating and sleeping - could be indications of pain.

Let kids knowit is OK to feel upset. Help kids identify their feelings, and let them know that life will go on and that they can learn to study, laugh and have fun again.

Designate more family time together. Organize family outings and least two meals per week - without the distraction of electronic devices. Building and nurturing personal relationships helps young people express themselves and know they are heard.

Being anxious and depressed is a part of every teen’s life. Taking the time to listen allows adults to guide teens to find out why — and figure out the helpful solutions that they need.

The Boys Town National Hotline can be reached 24/7 at 800-448-3000.