New national survey data show that roughly 17% of U.S. adolescents have moderate to severe anxiety symptoms, and nearly half of those with such symptoms receive no mental health treatment. The findings underscore a persistent gap between the need for care and access to it.
The causes of rising youth distress remain contested. A child psychiatrist, writing in the New York Times, argued that screens are not the primary driver behind rising anxiety and depression rates among young people, pushing back on a popular assumption. Meanwhile, a longitudinal study in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that positive childhood experiences were associated with a lower likelihood of psychiatric disorders in early adulthood, with the strongest protective effect against depression.
Together, the reports suggest that while anxiety is common, prevention may hinge more on early positive experiences than on simply limiting screen time. The treatment gap also points to the need for better access to mental health care for adolescents who are struggling.