Our teenagers are carrying weighty expectations fraught with constant comparisons — pushing many toward emotional overload. And the data shows it. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2023:
- 40% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
- 20% seriously considered attempting suicide; nearly 9% said they made an attempt.
- A 2025 Pew Research survey showed about 68% of teens say they feel a great deal or fair amount of pressure to get good grades and nearly half of teens say pressure to look good (47%) or to “fit in socially” (41%) weighs heavily.
- For LGBTQ+ teens and young people of marginalized identities, the emotional distress is even greater.
These pressures don't just vanish-- they can interfere with school performance, relationships, self-esteem, sleep, and physical health. The overwhelming burden of "doing it all right" (grades, extracurriculars, social life, appearance, future plans, meeting parents' expectations) can lead teens to feel stuck, anxious, or hopeless.
So where do parents fit in? How do we take the pressure off our students while still encouraging and supporting their goals?
Sarah Miller, Director of Spiritual and Lifelong Learning at Kol Emeth in Palo Alto, will guide parents' conversations and answer questions on this vital topic of how best to support teen mental health. Sarah has experience in many educational settings, from day schools to summer camps and youth groups, and is a popular speaker. She has a specialization in Adolescent Behavior and Development, a certification in Teen Mental Health, a BA in Near Eastern Studies from Cornell University, and a Master's in Jewish Education. Sarah is blessed with a wonderful son, Miles.
