HOPE FOR THE DAY The Anxiety of Youth

This column is written by my granddaughter, Cierra Roth, a young woman who has suffered with anxiety and depression. Statistics show that one in five children and teens suffer from an anxiety disorder, and one in twelve teens have attempted suicide. Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for ages 10-24 among U.S. youth. Cierra shares about the anxiety-producing things that today’s youth must deal with in an attempt to help others understand.

Today we are surrounded by electronics. Generation Z, those born from 1995-now, is known to be the first generation that has always had access to advanced technology. We have wireless, buttonless phones that fit in our pockets, an app for everything, and some type of machine to do most things for us. We are very fortunate to have these things, but it has also changed the world into a very competitive place. Being born into such competition causes a lot of anxiety in today’s kids and young adults.

Our classrooms have changed from learning to memorizing. Teachers cannot give students the proper time and techniques due to new curriculums. They are expected to learn it on their own. On top of the endless school work, students get hours of homework, along with after school sports, plays, 4-H, jobs, music lessons and many other things. Students are over crammed, yet get no help with simple things such as taxes or work ethics for the adult world.

Most of the time students don't like school, even though they should be learning and preparing for the next chapter in their lives. Instead they dread every day, waiting for graduation. The focus has changed from helping kids become adults to making kids get good grades to get into a college, with no other life preparation. Learn it on your own, do it on your own, and figure it out yourself. I think guiding each generation to become intelligent adults should be important.

Now we are out in the real world. Our job is to be adults, and no longer pass tests. We have bills, taxes, 40+ hour work weeks. It seems as if you get in a rut and you're not even sure what you're doing because surprise! Life is not a test, it's the real deal. It's been very common to see these kids and adults with higher levels of anxiety.

We feel we are not prepared, not smart enough and not good enough. Since we were taught we must figure out the answers to our questions in high school, we are often scared to ask for help with real life situations. We need to be reminded that we will not find all the answers ourselves and that our elders are there to guide us.

Since we are surrounded by new technologies and social media, we tend not to feel like we are of worth. We always see someone with bigger and better success stories than us. It's time that we remind Generation Z of their worth and that they can conquer all things with the help of God.

— Hope Ministries is a Christian counseling center, and we are here to help. If you would like to speak confidentially with someone, give us a call at 570-482-5300.