This article in the Monitor on Psychology (2025) presents research highlighting the lack of social and emotional support for US teens.
This lack of support for adolescents is in turn associated with poorer mental and physical wellbeing.
The key points of the article were:
- Parents and practitioners alike can help children and teens practice a skill that is hard at any age: asking for support.
- While peer support is important for teens, it does not replace the importance of strong relationships with caring adults.
- Psychologists are among those working to boost connections between teens and adult mentors.
We’d like to add that prevention specialists, as mental and behavioral health professionals, also have a key responsibility and role to play not only in preventing teen
substance use but also promoting their mental and physical wellbeing.
This can include providing evidence-based prevention programs that promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and mental health, and training parents, other adults and teens to serve as positive role models and mentors for youth.
Read the full article: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2025/04-05/teen-social-emotional-support