Daijiworld Media Network- Boulder

Boulder (US), Sep 11: As schools reopen this fall, concerns about the mental well-being of teenagers have once again come to the forefront. Studies show that adolescents today — particularly girls — are reporting higher levels of sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts compared to a decade ago.

According to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 40 per cent of high school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2023. While this marks a slight decline from the peak of 42 per cent during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is still nearly 10 percentage points higher than in 2013.

Matt Richtel, a Colorado-based science journalist with The New York Times, has studied the growing crisis for his new book “How We Grow Up: Understanding Adolescence.” After four years of research, he provides a closer look at the causes of teen stress and what can be done to address it.

Speaking about the issue, Richtel observed that the challenges today’s teenagers face are not only academic but also deeply rooted in social pressures, digital exposure, and post-pandemic lifestyle changes. “Teens are living in a world where expectations are higher, but support systems often lag behind,” he said.

The author emphasised the urgent need for parents, educators, and policymakers to understand the evolving landscape of adolescence. Early intervention, open conversations about mental health, and stronger community support systems are seen as critical steps toward addressing the crisis.