by Francesco Ferrari, MD and Abby Alten Schwartz, writer

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, a crisis was brewing in pediatric behavioral health with an estimated one in five kids living with a mental health disorder. The circumstances of the last three years have only made matters worse.

A key part of brain development in teenagers is an increased drive for peer connectedness, which starts in middle school. Forming friendships, joining groups, and participating in extracurricular activities is how teens figure out who they are and who they want to be.

While physical distancing was a necessary precaution during much of the pandemic, there were major implications for some teens. By one estimate, the rates of anxiety and depression among kids and adolescents have nearly doubled.

We’re seeing this play out in a number of ways, such as an increase in the number of kids refusing to go to school and withdrawing from social interactions. Keep in mind: Kids aren’t just learning academic subjects at school, they’re also learning social and emotional skills that are critical to their development. Pausing that for a year or more can have profound effects, though the level of impact varies by child.

But the pandemic isn’t the only reason so many teens are in crisis. The proliferation of smartphones and social media platforms has also had a detrimental effect on mental health.

In many ways, technology helped mitigate isolation during the pandemic, but that upside didn’t negate the challenges inherent in social media. Apps like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram present our kids with versions of their peers they can never live up to. Teens compare themselves to carefully cultivated images that don’t reflect reality and, as a result, may feel heightened anxiety or depression.

Adding to this, increased screen time disrupts schedules, sleep patterns, and social interactions, which can harm mental health. There’s also the matter of 24/7 exposure to troubling global and national events from climate change to gun violence. Teens of this generation are under constant bombardment by alarming videos and social media posts that are formulated to grab their attention.

One other contributing factor to adolescent anxiety and depression is online bullying, which can send an already at-risk individual into a crisis that requires acute care in an emergency room or psychiatric facility. Again, this is a problem that’s been building since before the pandemic.

The bottom line is our teens need us now more than ever. As medical professionals, educators, and parents, we have a responsibility to show up for the youngsters in our community and offer support. Here’s what that can look like:

Clinicians: Teens need to be screened at their regular primary care appointments and other touchpoints. The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry have put out recommendations for screening both young kids and adolescents for anxiety and depression.

Teachers: There’s no denying that the demands on educators have increased tremendously over the last few years. Still, the fact remains that teachers are uniquely positioned to observe our kids, spot any concerning behaviors, and to check in and reassure students that their classrooms are safe places. If you are an educator, be sure to keep the lines of communication open with kids and their parents, bring in guidance counselors, if needed, and keep your eyes open to any signs that indicate a teen is struggling.

Parents: Check in regularly with your kids and make it clear that they can come to you with anything. Teenagers often withhold information from their parents because they are afraid of burdening them with another worry. Let them know nothing they can say will scare you off or be too much to handle. Tell them, “I’m here for you no matter what. We are in this together and we will find a solution and get you help.”

Demand is high for mental health appointments—both adult and pediatric. Timely access to treatment is a challenge that isn’t going to be solved overnight, but medical professionals are aware of it and working on solutions to open more avenues to care.

One good effect of the pandemic was it normalized telemedicine as a viable alternative to in-person appointments. In addition, many hospital emergency departments are addressing the increased need for pediatric mental health services. And while these are good (and necessary) steps, there’s still more to do.

This is because teens need to feel connected to their peers, to adults, and to their surrounding communities. One of the healthier ways we can respond to trauma or tragedy is to try to create positive change. Talk to your kids about current events and find out what matters to them.

For some teens, getting involved in activism or volunteerism can increase their sense of agency and help them feel they’re working toward something good in the world. With a massive problem such as climate change, your child may question how taking action as an individual is going to make a difference. But finding others with similar interests and goals is a great reminder that while our society may feel divided, we share more in common with our neighbors than we may think.

The bottom line is that our teens are paying attention to the adults in their lives and the world around them. We need to do the same for them by being present, checking in, and getting them the mental health support they deserve. Our teens will be the ones leading the way to improve our world—so let’s help them develop the confidence and resilience they’ll need.

This article originally appeared at: https://thewell.northwell.edu/emotional-wellness/addressing-depression-and-anxiety-in-teens