The rise of anxiety and depression in teenagers is undeniable and evident for all to see.
Teenagers live in a modern, fast-paced world with access to 24-hour news, social media, TV, and gaming. They navigate pressures from peers, school, and even family – all of which can be contributing factors to depression and anxiety.
However, there is good news! God cares about mental health and wants to help our teenagers through their struggles.
In the darkest valley 'you are with me'
Right from the Fall, mankind has lived in a broken world with Satan waiting to pounce. But trusting in God’s Word brings reassurance that the all-knowing, all-powerful, sovereign God is with us in the midst of our fear and anxiety and will never leave us.
Anxiety and depression can make teens feel alone and that no one cares, but the Bible shows that God cares, is with them, and will never abandon them.
David, in Psalm 23, writes that even in the darkest valley, he does not fear because God is with him. Showing God’s unending care reassures young people that God cares for them too and will never abandon them because nothing can separate them from God’s love.
Feelings of worthlessness and hopelessness are also prevalent, so we need to be imaginative and persistent in reminding our teenagers that they are valued by a loving heavenly Father. Through Jesus, we become God’s children and He loves us, values us, protects us and will even use the difficult and hard things to make us more like Jesus.
"They need to see that we care for them and value them."
Paul tells the Romans, “…that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8v28). Even though it may not feel like it, our Heavenly Father values these teens, has a purpose for their lives, and will protect them.
Where trust is shattered, encourage them that God is the One they can ultimately trust, because when God says something, it happens. At the very beginning of Genesis, we are told that the whole world was created because "God said… and there was", and at the pool in Bethesda, Jesus told the man to "get up and walk… and he did" (John 5). The Bible proves that God is truly trustworthy because He does what He says He will do!
How can we help pastorally?
Develop good pastoral relationships, showing God’s love for our teens through our conversations, actions, and interactions with them. They need to see that we care for them and value them.
Be good role models. Help teenagers to feel safe by creating open, non-judgemental environments where they can talk openly about what is happening in their lives and feel safe to express their thoughts and feelings.
Acknowledge mental health in our groups, studies, discussions and include generically in prayers those who are struggling with their mental health, because making mental health "the norm" will make it feel less taboo.
Build up their confidence by being clear that we want to help and will work through issues alongside them. Do not judge or assume, but let them tell us in their own time, remembering to never promise anything we cannot do, as this will immediately shatter their trust in us. Reminding teens of what we like about them will build up trust and confidence.
"Pray with them, pray for them, and pray for yourself."
Actively listen to them. Have good eye contact, repeat back your understanding of what they have said and ask if you have understood them correctly; don’t worry about pauses as these give them time to think. Use open questions to encourage talking about their feelings, rather than questions that feel too specific or just need a one-word answer.
Read the Bible with them, write quotes out together, learn memory verses together, keep pressing home the truth of God’s Word.
Pray with them, pray for them, and pray for yourself.
Ministering and caring pastorally for young people takes time, patience, and energy. As we walk alongside our teenagers, including those struggling with anxiety and depression, and as they face all that the modern world throws at them, let us help guide them, pointing them to the one true God who brings them comfort, strength and hope and will always be with them.
When darkness is your only friend
God assures us that His written Word is not only absolutely reliable, it is also profitable: “All Scripture is God-breathed …