Understanding and Supporting Teen Well-Being in All Its Complexity
by Tami Silverman, President & CEO of Indiana Youth Institute
Teen development is a cluster of seeming contradictions. On the one hand, adolescents are capable of remarkable feats: taking complex classes, working part-time jobs, and beginning to map out their futures. Yet, despite their growing independence, they still require a strong network of adults to guide them through this transformative phase of life. The teenage years are not just about academic achievement or extracurricular successes; they are a period of profound emotional and social growth. As teens navigate friendships, identity formation, and increasing responsibilities, they also encounter stressors that can feel overwhelming. This is especially true today, as data shows concerning rates of anxiety, depression, and stress among young people.
Understanding the challenges teens face, and leveraging evidence-based strategies to support them, can help ensure they thrive. The good news is that the research on effective ways to nurture teens, and the support for youth-serving professionals, parents, and caregivers, are more robust than ever. Indiana Youth Institute’s KIDS COUNT® Data Book provides valuable insight into how our teens are faring—academically, emotionally, and socially.
According to the 2024 KIDS COUNT® Data Book, a concerning share of Indiana teens report having experienced significant mental health challenges, although the percentages are lower than two years earlier. Nearly 30% of Indiana students in grades 7–12 reported feeling so sad or hopeless for at least two consecutive weeks in the past year that they stopped engaging in usual activities. That’s a distressingly high number, although it does reflect a decrease from 2022’s rate of 35.7%. Similarly, 13.9% of Indiana students seriously considered attempting suicide in the prior year, down from 17.2%, and 10.1% made a suicide plan, down from 12.8%. While these declines are encouraging, they do underscore the importance of continued attention and an ongoing need for support.
Jonathan Haidt, in The Anxious Generation, attributes some of the increase in teen distress over the past decade to the influence of smartphones and social media. He argues that constant connectivity, online comparison, and the loss of face-to-face interaction have reshaped adolescence, often in harmful ways. His call for a “phone-free childhood” may not be practical for all teens, but it is a powerful reminder of the need for intentional boundaries around technology use.
Still, as Dr. Lisa Damour reminds us, not all stress is harmful. Emotional discomfort is a natural part of adolescence, and learning to navigate it is a key developmental task. When stress becomes chronic or teens resort to what Damour calls “costly coping,” such as using substances, engaging in self-harm, or lashing out, adults must step in. Youth-serving professionals should be on the lookout for prolonged low moods, anger, or disengagement, especially if those behaviors interfere with school, friendships, or daily functioning.
Dr. Becky Kennedy, author of Good Inside, encourages a shift in perspective. Challenging behaviors are often signals of more complex processes and are not just problems to be solved. Rather than reacting with punishment or control, she urges adults to meet teens with curiosity and connection. This approach can be transformative in settings ranging from classrooms to afterschool programs.
So, what does effective support look like? It starts with protective factors such as stable, caring relationships with adults, access to mental health resources, and environments that promote self-expression and growth. Programs that build emotional regulation, strengthen peer connections, and provide opportunities for academic engagement can serve as powerful buffers against adversity.
Schools and youth-serving organizations also play a pivotal role in promoting well-being. Ensuring students have access to counselors and creating safe spaces for youth to process and express their feelings are essential. Addressing issues like cyberbullying, fostering media literacy, and balancing academic rigor with mental health priorities help ensure teens are not pushed past their limits.
For teens overwhelmed by stress or anxiety, Damour offers a useful analogy: recovery matters as much as the stress itself. Just as muscles grow stronger after rest following weight training, adolescents need downtime to recover from their demanding schedules. If teens are not getting enough sleep, seeing friends, or finding time for joy, the load may be too heavy, and it is up to adults to help lighten it.
The goal is not to eliminate all anxiety, nor could we, but to help teens keep it in the healthy range. When young people overestimate threats and underestimate their ability to cope, adults can provide perspective and reassurance. Encouraging teens to face fears gradually rather than avoid them helps build resilience.
Youth-serving professionals are uniquely positioned to partner with families to support teens through structured programs and everyday interactions. Whether it’s listening without judgment, modeling healthy coping, or simply being a consistent presence, we help shape the scaffolding that supports adolescent growth.
The path through adolescence is never linear, and it is rarely easy. But with data to guide us and research-backed tools at our disposal, we can help Indiana’s teens navigate these critical years and emerge stronger, more connected, and full of potential.
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