By Gurleen Brar

In today’s generation, we get so caught up in screens that the outside world almost slips away without us noticing. Everything feels loud and bright — notifications buzzing, feeds refreshing, our minds constantly occupied even when we’re not trying. And somewhere in that routine of scrolling, mental-health struggles start to grow quietly in the background. With cases rising every year, nurses are seeing these effects. Teen mental-health cases are rising, raising new concerns about how students are coping — and how nurses are responding.

According to a 2026 report from Huntington Psych, diagnoses of anxiety and depression among U.S. children ages 6–17 have increased by nearly 30% in recent years, a trend that has continued since 2020. 

The National Institute of Mental Health claims that an estimated 49.5% of adolescents experience a mental disorder at some point during their teenage years, with about 22.2% facing severe impairment.  

In 2021, the CDC reported that 44.2% of high‑school students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness — a 44% increase since 2009. Additionally, 19.9% of students had seriously considered attempting suicide, and 9% had made an attempt. While researchers note that suicide remains a major concern, these findings highlight how mental‑health struggles among teens reflect a steady upward trend. 

These challenges often extend to clinical settings. Adelphi nursing major Angelina Rubiano stated that mental-health concerns now appear in every unit, not just psychiatric wards. “Mental health is such a huge factor whether you’re in a psych unit or a regular med-surge unit,” she said. 

Rubiano suggests more treatment, even using telehealth. “Having access to a mental-health consultant or telehealth on each unit would be really beneficial. I’ve worked in the ER where they had telehealth machines for psych patients, and it was very helpful. I think every unit should have at least one,” Rubiano said. 

By fostering trust and communication, nurses can help teenage patients feel seen and supported — an essential step toward rebuilding connections and improving overall well‑being. Nurses can play a key role in encouraging students to talk to trusted adults and helping them adjust after the pandemic. 

Since some treatment programs are extremely expensive, health care experts recommend starting with accessible options for mental health improvement. Students can reach out to a trusted adult such as a teacher, parent or school counselor. In August, Adelphi University won an Insight Into Academia 2026 Excellence in Mental Health and Well-Being Award. Adelphi’s President, Michael Balboni, said that the university’s “culture of care” goes beyond academics, actively recognizing and supporting students’ mental health challenges. 

Students seeking assistance with mental health issues have many options on campus. Adelphi offers a counseling center, a health center, a mindfulness center and hotlines that provide free, confidential assistance. As awareness grows, schools and healthcare professionals continue to work together to ensure that every teen has access to the support they need. 

Below are some of the resources that Adelphi University offers to students. 

Center for Psychological Services (Derner School of Psychology)

Locations: Garden City campus, Manhattan Center, and Derner Child and Family Center (Hempstead).

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Adelphi Health Services — Contact: 516-877-6000

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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call or text to 988

The Trevor Project — Contact: 866-488-7386

Long Island Crisis Center — Contact: 516-679-1111