In a powerful post shared over 11,000 times on Facebook in less than a day, Humans of New York shines a light on a critical issue affecting many teenagers—anxiety. Research from the National Institute of Mental Health reveals that approximately 25% of adolescents aged 13-18 struggle with anxiety disorders, with 5.9% experiencing severe cases. Alarmingly, the Child Mind Institute reports that 80% of these teens do not receive the treatment they desperately need.
The poignant story shared by a student in the HONY post reflects the alarming nature of anxiety. “I was the top student in my school, always pushing myself to excel. But when I fell ill in 10th grade, everything changed. That’s when the panic attacks started,” she recalled. The impact of anxiety can manifest suddenly, and for this student, it became overwhelming. “One day, my teacher handed me my grade report, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. My heart raced, and I became detached from everything around me. I eventually passed out and woke up in the nurse’s office. After that, the panic attacks came almost daily.”
Many can relate to her experience. I remember feeling dizzy and lightheaded in my own 10th-grade class, and after a few fainting spells, my doctor advised me to try yoga and offered me an inhaler for my panic attacks. Over the years, I’ve discovered various strategies to manage my anxiety, with yoga and open discussions about my experiences being among the most effective.
For the young woman from Bogotá featured in the post, the transition to college brought new challenges. “When I started college, I realized I couldn’t maintain my previous level of success no matter how hard I tried. Everyone here is so talented. My panic attacks worsened, forcing me to withdraw from my first semester,” she explained. It’s essential to take a step back and seek help during these tough times, which is exactly what she did. “I’ve learned to acknowledge my anxiety instead of hiding it. I used to avoid social media and ignore calls, thinking that if no one knew, it wouldn’t exist. But the more I talk about it, the more I find others who feel the same way. So, I’m working on expressing it more.”
The urgency for support is stark—every year, around 4,600 adolescents take their own lives, and 157,000 are hospitalized due to self-harm, as noted by the Child Mind Institute. It’s vital that we provide necessary support for teens grappling with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. This support can come in many forms, including therapy, medication, relaxation techniques, meditation, acupuncture, and even yoga.
Art has served as a therapeutic outlet for the HONY student, who shared, “I had a wonderful teacher who advised me: ‘Instead of letting anxiety stop you from creating your art, let it inspire you to create.’”
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Summary
A recent Humans of New York post highlights the importance of discussing anxiety among teens, revealing that 25% of adolescents are affected by anxiety disorders, yet many do not receive treatment. Through personal stories, the post emphasizes the need for open conversations and support systems for those struggling with mental health issues.