At 15, “Amy Li” was the picture of vibrancy—a lively teen who thrived on late-night chats with friends and threw herself into school clubs with boundless energy. However, almost overnight, her spark seemed to fade. She retreated to her room, her world shrinking to the glow of her phone screen. Her parents chalked up the change in her behavior to typical teenage rebellion, until a chilling note with the words: “Living is so exhausting,” uncovered the truth of Amy’s withdrawal.
Amy was battling severe depression—and her experience is far from uncommon. It highlights how hidden anxiety and depression are sweeping through a generation, an invisible epidemic threatening the well-being of today’s youth.
Red Flags of Teen Mental Health Struggles
“Mental health struggles often hide in plain sight, unlike physical ailments,” Echo Song, a community outreach representative for the Bureau of Community Engagement within the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, said on “Health 1+1” on NTD, a sister outlet of The Epoch Times.
To catch subtle signs early, Song suggests that parents and teachers must proactively monitor a teen’s emotional well-being and watch for the following:
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Emotional Fluctuations: Irritability, low mood, withdrawal, and reluctance to interact.
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Changes in Thinking and Cognition: Negative thoughts, self-deprecation, and loss of interest in activities.
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Changes in Appearance: Neglect of personal hygiene or becoming less concerned with appearance.
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Changes in Daily Routine: Difficulty sleeping, excessive sleeping, loss of appetite, or overeating.
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Changes in Academic Performance: Difficulty concentrating, declining grades, or reluctance to attend school.
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Changes in Social Media Use: Inability to control social media use, withdrawal symptoms when not online, neglect of responsibilities or hobbies in favor of screen time, and disrupted sleep patterns.
Song recommends tracking these changes by comparing a teen’s behavior over six months to a year. If you notice red flags, promptly engage in open, supportive conversations with your child.
How to Build a Strong Connection With Your Child
Dedicate time each day to have sincere discussions with your children, especially during adolescence—a critical period that requires more attention from parents.
“Talk and connect heart-to-heart, giving your child the opportunity to open up and share what’s happening in their life, such as events at school or how they view the behavior and values of their peers,” Song said.
“Don’t rush to ask questions. Listen patiently, sit quietly beside them, and attentively hear their feelings—this is highly effective.”
Learn to acknowledge and embrace your child’s emotions rather than criticize them. Avoid comparing your own childhood experiences to theirs, such as saying, “You’ve got it so good. When I was young, I never had such nice clothes to wear or all these fancy toys, right? But you have everything. You’re living so well—what could make you unhappy?” Song said.
Instead, by sharing your own emotional experiences and how you solved problems, you can demonstrate positive behavior and guide children as they navigate challenges. When communicating with children of different ages, it’s especially important to use appropriate language that they can easily understand.
As supportive friends and guides, parents can help children confront anxious situations step by step. For instance, if a child fears making friends or fitting into groups, practice role-playing at home to build confidence and gradually encourage social engagement.
For anxiety stemming from social media or peer pressure, you can reassure your children that they are not alone—many teens experience similar feelings, and some emotional ups and downs can be a normal part of growing up.
Additionally, to mitigate the effects of social media, Song recommends the following strategies for parents to support their children in developing healthy digital habits:
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Assess Screen Usage Time: Observe how much time children spend online each day and whether it affects healthy offline activities, such as exercising, meeting friends, reading, or sleeping. Parents can set healthy limits on their children’s use of electronic devices.
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Be Aware of Your Child’s Online Browsing Activity: Stay informed about the devices children use and the content they engage with, and evaluate whether the content is meaningful or beneficial. Encourage children to participate in online activities in healthier ways, such as exploring recipes, researching family outings, or connecting with relatives via video calls.
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Be a Positive Role Model: Parents should reflect on their own social media and electronic device use to ensure they serve as positive role models for their children.
Parents should not let children remain in a state of emotional distress or stay silent about their condition, as this can intensify anxiety. When necessary, seek help from professionals such as pediatricians, nurses, psychologists, school staff, or counselors.
5 Signs a Teen Needs Immediate Help
Song warns parents to be vigilant for the following five symptoms of teenage depression. If a teen shows even one of these signs, immediate professional intervention is essential.
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Feeling Trapped: Expressing an inability to change their current circumstances.
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Hopelessness: Believing their situation will never improve.
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Preoccupation With Death: Talking about death or expressing thoughts related to mortality.
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Disturbed Creative Expression: Engaging in writing, drawing, or listening to music focused on despair, guns, or death.
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Suicidal Comments: Mentioning suicide, even in a seemingly joking manner.
The rise of digital media and smartphones may contribute to these issues through multiple channels, such as reducing face-to-face social interactions, disrupting sleep patterns, enabling cyberbullying, and exposing teens to online content related to self-harm.
In the United States, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for immediate support. If an attempt is underway or danger is imminent, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Parents do not need to diagnose the problem or find the perfect words. By noticing meaningful changes, listening without judgment, and seeking help early, they can help a struggling teenager feel less alone—and make recovery more attainable.
