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What’s Stressing Our Teens? Addressing Gen Z’s Rising Anxiety

Posted on October 5, 2025

Part Two of the Respectful Ways Student Mental Health Series:
A deep dive into one of the most significant causes of teen mental health struggles: anxiety.

Part One explores the depth of the crisis, its underlying causes, and promising evidence-based supports.
Part Two explores teens anxiety, and provides schools and families with practical tools, resources, and strategies to build stronger, more resilient learning environments.

Respectful Ways

Adolescent mental health has shifted dramatically in recent years, with anxiety emerging as one of the most pressing concerns - especially among Generation Z (born 1997–2012). Research shows Gen Z experiences higher rates of anxiety than any previous generation, and the trend is only accelerating. A 2024 review in Nursing Open (Grelle et al.) explores the root causes of this rise and offers strategies for meaningful intervention.

Alarming Numbers 

    • Anxiety now affects approximately 30% of adolescents, and the rate continues to rise.

    • Hospitalizations for suicidal ideation among teens have doubled over the past decade.

    • According to the recent Gallup report, only 47% of Gen Z consider themselves to be “thriving” -- a significant decline from previous generations.

    • During the COVID-19 pandemic, global studies reported sharp increases in anxiety and depression, particularly among youth with pre-existing conditions, or from marginalized communities.

 

What’s Driving the Rise?

    • Biology & Environment - Anxiety is 30 to 40% heritable, but environmental toxins and stress can amplify genetic risk and affect brain development.
    • Digital Technology & Social Media - Excessive screen time, cyberbullying, and social comparison on platforms like TikTok and YouTube fuel anxiety and isolation.
    • Family Dynamics - With less extended family support, parents often raise children while juggling stress, leaving teens with fewer emotional supports.
    • Academic Pressure - Competitive school environments and high-stakes testing create chronic stress, linked to poor mental health in most global studies.
    • Extracurricular Overload - Activities meant to support growth can backfire when done excessively for college resumés, leaving little time to unwind.
    • Political & Environmental Stress - Gen Z faces constant exposure to global crises including climate change, violence, and division - leaving many feeling hopeless and powerless.

 

What Can Be Done?

  • School-Based Support: Short-term programs like cognitive behavioral therapy can help, but lasting change requires schools to consistently promote mental wellness -- beyond occasional interventions.
  • Parental Involvement: Families play a key role. Respectful WaysOpen dialogue, limits on screen time, and modeling healthy coping strategies are essential for long-term impact.
  • Smart Media Use: Teaching students media literacy and encouraging mindful online habits can reduce the anxiety linked to doom-scrolling and misinformation.
  • Improved Access to Care: With a shortage of child psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners can help fill the gap. Still, only 38% of youth with mental health issues currently get the treatment they need.
  • Nature & Community Connection: Spending time outdoors through sports, walking, or gardening has proven benefits for reducing anxiety and is a low-cost, accessible solution.

 

The rise in teen mental health issues is driven by a mix of genetics, social shifts, academic stress, and nonstop digital exposure. But with early support, inclusive schools, involved families, and accessible care, we can help youth not just cope -- but thrive.

To truly move forward, we must listen to Gen Z. Their experiences and resilience are key to transforming youth mental health.

 

Author: Kim Celotto for Respectful Ways

Respectful Ways offers trauma-informed character education and social-emotional learning curriculum for four age groups: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Students engage and grow with interactive, online courses covering compassion, perseverance, respect and responsibility.

 

 

 

 

Citation:
Grelle, R., Pandey, S., Safaya, A., et al. (2024). Understanding the rising rates of adolescent anxiety: A narrative review of contributing factors and opportunities for intervention. Nursing Open, 12(7).

 

 

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