We recently conducted a survey to better understand teenage mental health and well-being, aiming to eventually create a virtual support space for teens. We especially wanted to hear directly from teenagers and from those close to teens. The overall response has humbled us, and the input has better informed us. In the 96 surveys completed, your feedback showed some common perspectives and concerns and perhaps one very strong takeaway for our own reassurance.

The Survey Revealed

The survey revealed several key sources of stress for teens, including academic and social pressures, social media anxieties, self-image concerns, and family dynamics. Some respondents also mentioned global issues as a stress factor.

Healthy connections and stress management tools were identified as top needs by survey participants, with a safe space for open communication being the most requested feature or takeaway. Interestingly, while other survey questions showed a range of responses, the question about concern for teen mental health had a clear majority: "On a scale from 1-5 (5 being the highest) how concerned are you about the mental and emotional health of teens right now?" Over 62% of you expressed significant concern about the emotional well-being of teenagers.

Your Concern Aligns with National Data

Your high level of concern matches what national experts are telling us about teens’ mental health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, student mental health has continued to worsen over the past decade. More than 40% of high school students have reported feeling so sad or hopeless that they couldn’t engage in regular activities for at least two weeks in the previous year, a possible indication of depressive symptoms. The survey also showed significant increases in the percentage of youth who seriously considered suicide, made a suicide plan, and attempted suicide.

These sobering statistics, along with your high level of concern for teenagers, reinforce the importance of our project at HeartMath Institute. While we recognize that teen mental health is a complex issue with multiple approaches and solutions, we do know the importance of connection. Our efforts to create a safe space for teens to connect, share practical emotional regulation tools, and to inspire one another with examples of positive agency around the world are a significant start.

An Invitation to Participate

We are grateful to those who shared an interest in being a part of our planning committee. We will organize a collaborative conversation inviting teens to engage this Summer. In the meantime, feel free to reach out to us directly with additional thoughts or input.

A Spark of Creativity: Platform Name Ideas

We were truly moved by the incredible creativity displayed in the platform name suggestions! We’ve compiled some of our favorites into a word cloud – check it out! With so much creative energy this early on, we are excited about the places our teen platform can go!