Prevent Teens from Engaging in Risky Behaviors as a Means of Coping with Stress
Even under the best of circumstances, teens in our community struggle with a great deal of stress in their lives from school to money to peer pressure. Yet many teens lack appropriate coping mechanisms. Without the proper guidance from a parent or other trusted adult, they may turn to risky and unhealthy behaviors, such as drug use and drinking.
A recent survey shows that 43 percent of 13- to 14-year-olds say they feel stressed every single day. By ages 15 to 17, the number rises to 59 percent. And nearly two-thirds of teens say that they are "somewhat" or "very concerned" about their and their families personal finances, with girls reporting feeling "frequently stressed" more often than boys.
As research has proven time and again, parents are the greatest influences in their children's lives. During tough times, it is critical that we remind parents about the need to build communication, and trust, with their teens.