For a growing number of teenagers, adolescence is not only a critical phase in development but also a period of silent struggles with anxiety and depression. According to JAMA pediatrics, nearly 1 in 7 US youth have a mental disorder and a staggering half of them are left undiagnosed.

Since the advent of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the daily routines of adolescents have been dramatically altered, resulting in the prevalence of anxiety and depression surging by 25%. The isolation resulting from lockdowns, restrictions on social activities, and the constant changing situations have left many adolescents feeling helpless and isolated. The already fragile mental health of adolescents has been magnified, resulting in an increase of severe consequences of mental health problems.

Sleep plays an integral role in the mental, emotional, and physical development of adolescents and has been shown by a 2013 study to have a bidirectional relationship with both anxiety and depression. This relationship signifies that poor sleep directly increases feelings of anxiety and depression since sleep deprivation triggers reactions in the amygdala–the brain's fear center –and the anterior insula–responsible for regulating emotions and homeostasis.

Likewise, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) disrupt healthy brain development, particularly in areas of the brain associated with emotion regulation and stress response. This disruption leads to challenges managing emotions leading to an increased vulnerability to anxiety and depression.

The repercussions of poor mental health in adolescents, including substance abuse and suicide in addition to the rising rates of anxiety and depression in teenagers serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for mental health support and treatment. It is imperative to recognize the warning signs and take a holistic approach to supporting adolescents facing anxiety and depression. By fostering awareness and reducing the stigma around mental health issues, we as a society can embark on a journey towards creating an environment where adolescents feel empowered to seek help.

To address the silent struggles, it is vital that parents, teachers, and communities address play a pivotal role by providing the necessary resources to adolescents. By doing so, we as a society will work towards nurturing a generation of more educated and resilient teenagers for tomorrow.