How to help teens with pandemic stress

Social isolation took its toll on everyone during the pandemic but its e ects were especially severe on teens, who rely heavily on their friends and social networks for their personal feelings of self-worth and for emotional support.

Feelings of anxiety and depression spiked for teens 13 to 18 who were isolated during lockdown. Not only were they stuck in remote learning and facing an uncertain future, sports and activities were cancelled and they could rarely if ever see their friends.

Three in four parents say COVID-19 negatively impacted their teen’s mental health, according to the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health at Michigan Medicine. Teen girls fared worse, with 1 in 3 experiencing new or worsening anxiety since March 2020 versus 1 in 5 teen boys.

COVID-19 precautions hit teens at an age when they were primed to seek increasing levels of independence, said Dr. Gary Freed, poll co-director and Mott pediatrician.

Pandemic lifestyle changes wreaked havoc on teens’ lives, not only disrupting normal routines but impacting their mental health, he said.

In addition to their teens feeling frustrated, anxious and disconnected, parents also reported that the pandemic disrupted teens’ ability to sleep, which affected 24% of girls and 21% of boys.

A smaller percentage of teens (14% of girls and 13% of boys) withdrew from their families, while 8% of girls and 9% of boys exhibited aggressive behavior.

Teen depression during the pandemic is associated with teens’ own fears and uncertainties, as well as elevated levels of parental stress, Freed said.

“Isolation during the pandemic may be triggering new problems for some teens but for others, the situation has exacerbated existing emotional health issues,” he said.

To meet these new challenges parents employed different strategies to help their teens, including relaxing family rules, seeking help from experts and using web-based programs and apps.

“Parents play a critical role in helping their teens cope with the stress of the pandemic,” Freed said.

Here are some strategies parents can use to engage and help their teen, whether or not they are showing signs of problems.

• Keep lines of communication open. Ask open-ended questions about how they are doing. Create space where family members can speak openly and honestly.

• Be there for teens even if it’s at arm’s length.

It’s normal for teens to crave privacy. Give them space where they can enjoy alone time, which can be helpful to their mental health.

• Share your own worries and frustrations (but don’t go overboard) as well as successful strategies to cope.

• Encourage social interactions that follow COVID-19 safety guidelines, such as spending time outside or participating in socially distanced activities wearing masks.

• Limit social media use so it doesn’t interfere with a teen’s sleep. This might mean banning electronics close to bedtime, or encouraging or only allowing social media use during designated times of the day.

• Reach out for help. Apps make therapy accessible, but parents should consult their primary care provider or other trusted sources for app recommendations as well as for online resources about teen mental health, Freed said.

A well-adjusted teen will benefit from a healthy and productive routine that includes a regular sleep schedule, responsibilities around the house and interactions with peers and family.