Graduation, Growth, and the Reality of Teen Anxiety

I recently had the joy of attending my nephew’s high school graduation. It left me feeling reflective and hopeful. As often happens at graduation ceremonies, the student speakers were the most memorable. The students chosen to speak weren't necessarily the top of the class. They weren’t valedictorians or headed off to Ivy League schools (though they may be!). These students applied to speak and were chosen through an audition process.

Out of the four student speakers, two openly talked about their experiences with anxiety. All four mentioned some form of emotional struggle during their four years. And they didn’t speak in vague terms—they shared moments when they genuinely questioned whether they’d make it to graduation at all. And yet, not only did they make it, they were standing on stage, sharing their stories with hundreds of people. That’s growth—the kind that only comes from facing adversity.

As someone who worked as a high school guidance counselor for 10 years and now practices as a therapist, this hit home. It echoed what I see in my office and what research continues to show us: teenagers are emotionally complex.

The Walton Family Foundation and Gallup (March 2024) surveyed over 1,600 kids aged 10–18. The results? Nearly all of them—94%—said they felt happiness a lot of the previous day. But here’s the kicker: 45% also felt stressed, 38% anxious, and 23% sad. All in the same day. That’s normal. That’s adolescence.

Teen anxiety isn’t always a red flag. Sometimes, it’s a sign they care. High school is important. It’s emotional. It comes with pressure, deadlines, decisions, and yes—drama. A little anxiety makes sense. It means their brain is responding to things that matter.

The key is noticing when anxiety starts to take over. If a teen is struggling to attend school, connect with friends, function at home, or is experiencing health impacts, it’s time to connect with a mental health professional. There is support, and therapy can help teens learn to manage emotions, build resilience, and develop tools they’ll use for life.

And let’s not forget—seeing your teen anxious can bring up your own anxiety as a parent. That’s normal, too. It’s hard to watch your child feel uncomfortable. But it’s also an important part of their growth. When we step in to fix or protect too quickly, we sometimes accidentally send the message that discomfort is dangerous. Instead, we can support them through it. That’s how they build tolerance for uncertainty, disappointment, and stress—the exact skills they’ll need as adults.

So the next time your teen seems anxious or overwhelmed, take a breath. Check in with them. Reflect on the full picture. Are they also laughing with friends? Excited about something? Proud of a grade or creative project? Let’s make room for the full range of teenage emotions—not just the tough ones.

Because anxiety in teens exists on a wide spectrum—from everyday worries about grades or friendships to more intense struggles that interfere with daily life. Both ends deserve our attention, but not all anxiety is a crisis. Sometimes it’s a sign of growth, ambition, or simply caring deeply. When we understand this full range, we can support our teens with more compassion and less fear—creating space for them to navigate high school with resilience, self-awareness, and even joy.