by Matthew VonStein
Adolescence. Just hearing the word might evoke memories, both beautiful and challenging, of your own journey from childhood to adulthood. It’s a season brimming with critical questions: Who am I? Do I matter? Where do I belong? Adolescence is fundamentally a delicate bridge linking biological maturity to cultural adulthood. Today, however, that bridge has become more like a tightrope: longer, shakier, and filled with anxiety.
Historically, the journey to adulthood, though never easy or gentle, was often facilitated by environments more conducive to natural developmental growth. Communities typically provided structured yet flexible support that fostered resilience through real-world experiences. Today, while adolescents may face different challenges, crucial developmental opportunities once available have significantly diminished. Simultaneously, cultural acknowledgment of adulthood has grown increasingly difficult and delayed, leaving young people navigating prolonged uncertainty and stress without sufficient adult support.
A Surge of Suffering
Over the past decade, this extended adolescence has become alarmingly precarious, evidenced by rapidly increasing rates of anxiety and depression among teens. According to the CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, over 40% of high school students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, severely impacting their daily lives. Major depression among teens has increased by over 150% for both boys and girls over the last decade.
We aren’t talking about normal teenage mood swings; these are profound struggles leaving young people feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and uncertain. Girls in particular experience significantly heightened rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. This crisis is not confined to our neighborhoods. It is global, and we ought to respond urgently and compassionately.
What’s Driving the Crisis?
According to today’s leading sociologists, there are a few major factors significantly contributing to this mental health crisis:
Loss of Free Play: Teens today grow up in an environment often termed “safetyism,” a well-meaning but overly protective culture that restricts essential developmental experiences. Unstructured, independent play historically taught critical life skills like problem-solving, emotional regulation, and resilience. Today’s overly supervised environments deny kids these vital experiences, hindering their natural development.
Phone-Based Childhood: The rise of smartphones has fundamentally reshaped adolescence. Teens spend an average of seven hours daily on screens, often sacrificing sleep, real-world interactions, and meaningful spiritual experiences. Excessive screen time fragments attention, disrupts restful sleep, reduces social connections, and limits exposure to awe-inspiring, spiritually formative moments.
Loss of Adult Guidance: Despite teens being more broadly connected and constantly around adults through various structured activities, there is a significant decline in unfiltered, genuine social capital from adults in their communities. Many adolescents lack meaningful, personal relationships with mentors who actively walk alongside them through life’s complexities. Because of these factors, particularly the pervasive virtual world and the constant distraction it creates, parents and other adults often feel unsure or even stuck, uncertain about how to effectively provide the crucial support young people need. Teens may be physically present at home, yet mentally occupied and disengaged, often mirroring the adults around them, leaving them navigating adolescence and the path to adulthood largely on their own, further exacerbating feelings of isolation and uncertainty.
How Can We Help?
As adults, whether parents, teachers, mentors, or neighbors, our role in supporting adolescents is crucial. We can’t solve every problem teens face, but we can significantly impact their journey by taking intentional, practical steps:
1. Be Present and Build Trust. Teens need adults who consistently show genuine interest in their lives. Young people are far more interested in adult support and guidance than most adults realize. Parents often feel stuck or unsure how best to provide this support, but even simple daily habits can significantly strengthen connections (see Pastor Matt Kozma’s blog Family Discipleship Habits for practical ideas). Moreover, teens respond incredibly well to trusted adults outside their immediate family who offer consistent encouragement and mentorship. Pay close attention to the young people around you; your presence and intentionality can deeply impact their journey.
2. Encourage Real-World Experiences. Create opportunities for adolescents (and children!) to engage in real-world challenges that build resilience and confidence. The goal isn’t to fill their schedules with endless activities but to recognize that young people are often ready far sooner than adults typically realize to develop meaningful independence and strength. Encourage participation in team sports, outdoor adventures, part-time employment, volunteering, or musical and artistic endeavors, while ensuring ample freedom for unstructured exploration and self-directed growth. Facilitate meaningful rites of passage that affirm their capabilities and signify growth and responsibility, preparing them for future roles. As parents, our goal is to raise children who are resourceful, resilient, and prepared for life’s challenges. Yet, societal pressures often tempt us to keep our children overly sheltered rather than allowing them the freedom necessary for growth. Visit letgrow.org for practical strategies to encourage independence and confidence in your kids.
3. Be a Calm, Non-Anxious Presence. Anxiety can easily spread; fortunately, calmness is equally contagious. Model emotional steadiness and composure, especially during crises. Teens often mirror adult reactions; your calm demeanor can significantly alleviate their stress. Avoid rescuing adolescents from every uncomfortable situation. Instead, compassionately guide them through difficulties, helping them develop their capacity to face challenges head-on. Encourage them to see stress as an opportunity for growth. Mental health expert Dr. Lisa Damour says: “Stress is not always negative, growth and stress go hand-in-hand.”
(Additionally, remain vigilant for signs of depression, a condition that typically does not resolve on its own and often requires professional intervention and consistent adult support.)
4. Set Clear Boundaries Around Technology. Establish clear and consistent technology guidelines to reduce the detrimental effects of excessive screen time:
- Delay smartphone ownership until at least 14, and restrict social media access until at least age 16.
- Create tech-free zones in your home, particularly during family meals, bedtime, and car rides. Do not allow children/adolescents to use smart devices unsupervised in their rooms.
- Prioritize and protect sleep; the CDC links chronic sleep deprivation directly to increased mental health issues. Aim for at least 8-10 hours per night for adolescents.
- Encourage offline hobbies and interests that foster face-to-face interactions and physical activity.
5. Anchor Their Identity in Lasting Truths. All young people are asking important questions about who they are (identity, belonging, significance). Adolescents are continuously pressured to define themselves by shifting external standards: grades, social media, peer opinions, and cultural expectations. As parents and caring adults, our role is to build and reinforce for them a stable foundation grounded in spiritual truths. Psalm 139:14 says that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” and Ephesians 2:10 says that they are “God’s masterpiece, created for good works.” They are on purpose and have purpose in Christ; remind them their value is unchanging and rooted in this truth.
Offering Hope Through Compassionate Engagement
The adolescent mental health crisis is not merely a social issue; it’s an opportunity to profoundly impact young lives through compassionate, intentional engagement. By stepping onto the tightrope beside them, not to balance for them, but to reassure them of their worth and of their incredible capacity to grow, we can help adolescents navigate this challenging stage of life confidently.
Rooted in love, guided by intentionality, and anchored in unwavering truths, we become powerful allies in transforming the adolescent journey from fear-filled to flourishing.
Research & Sources:
Hurt 2.0 by Chap Clark
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
CDC’s 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Young Life 2024 RELATE Project
Three Big Questions by Kara Powell
Family Discipleship by Matt Chandler
Matthew VonStein is the Metro Director for YoungLife in York and Adams County. He and his wife, Michelle, are committed members at Living Hope Church and have four children.
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