Anxiety among New Jersey teenagers has reached crisis levels. In 2020, approximately 168,000 children in the state were reported to be struggling with anxiety and depression, representing 10.7% of all children. The numbers have climbed steadily from 7.6% in 2016. New Jersey's 2023 Middle School Risk and Protective Factors Survey revealed that 30.8% of middle schoolers screened positive for anxiety, with 38.1% reporting they felt nervous, anxious, or on edge in the past two weeks alone.
These statistics represent real children facing serious mental health challenges that extend far beyond typical teenage stress.
Female students are particularly vulnerable. According to Rutgers PolicyLab (2023, girls are up to 50% more likely than boys to experience anxiety, sadness, or suicidal ideation. Bullying dramatically increases the risk: CDC data shows that bullied teens had a 29.8% prevalence of anxiety symptoms compared to 14.5% among non-bullied peers, and depression symptoms jumped from 12.1% to 28.5%.
Female students are particularly vulnerable. According to Rutgers PolicyLab, girls are up to 50% more likely than boys to experience anxiety, sadness, or suicidal ideation. Bullying dramatically increases the risk: CDC data shows that bullied teens had a 29.8% prevalence of anxiety symptoms compared to 14.5% among non-bullied peers, and depression symptoms jumped from 12.1% to 28.5%.
Dr. Konstantin Lukin, a New Jersey-based Licensed Clinical Psychologist, explains that “generational anxiety is caused by both biological factors and the way kids watch and absorb how their parents deal with stress. By modeling calm problem-solving and emotional openness at home, New Jersey parents can make a real difference.”
Parents should watch for changes in behavior such as social withdrawal, declining grades, sleep disturbances, irritability, or physical complaints like headaches and stomachaches. Anxiety often runs in families, with anxious teens roughly three times more likely to have an anxious parent, and depressed teens about five times more likely to have a depressed parent.
Stephanie Behrens, Clinical Director at Anchored Tides Recovery, adds that parents who learn to regulate their own emotional responses “create an entirely different environment for their anxious teen. A parent's ability to stay calm and present gives their teen permission to work through anxiety without feeling judged or rushed. Teenagers absorb the emotional climate at home, so a shift in how parents respond often leads to real improvement in the teen's symptoms.”
Together, these findings highlight how parents' management of stress and response to their adolescents has a profound effect on teens’ resilience and ability to cope with anxiety.
A troubling disconnect exists between what parents think they provide and what teens actually need. Harvard’s study The Critical Link Between Parent and Teen Mental Health found that 40% of teens want parents to reach out more and genuinely ask how they’re doing. Surface-level check-ins aren’t enough.
Active listening is key: give full attention without immediately jumping to solutions. Replace dismissive phrases like “you’ll be fine” with validating responses, and ask open-ended questions such as, “What does the anxiety feel like for you?” or “What would help you feel more comfortable?” Teens need to feel genuinely heard before guidance can be effective..
Professional help can be challenging to obtain. One in six families reported no insurance coverage for mental health services, and roughly half had difficulty finding adequate counseling (Rutgers PolicyLab, 2023). Yet school counselors, community mental health centers, and private therapists specializing in adolescent anxiety can provide crucial support when anxiety interferes with daily functioning. Seeking professional help shows strength and commitment to your teen’s well-being.
Parents who manage their own stress, openly discuss feelings, and prioritize self-care teach powerful lessons about emotional wellness. Teens learn more from observation than instruction. Addressing your own mental health while supporting your child creates an environment where seeking help feels normal, not shameful.
Supporting an anxious teen requires patience, empathy, and sometimes professional intervention. By creating supportive home environments, closing communication gaps, and persistently seeking resources, New Jersey parents can help teens develop essential tools for managing anxiety and building resilience.
