Why do we worry?

We are born without inhibitions and as young children we are excited about the prospect of each new discovery. On this journey to adolescence and adulthood our self-confidence can start to waiver. From the endless possibilities and opportunities that we allow our younger selves we often begin to battle with our own creativity.

The traditional education model encourages compliance and task completion at the expense of independence and exploration. With the increase in standardized testing, competitiveness of performing academically it is easy to see how adolescents start to develop less enthusiasm about learning.

Parents, educators and adolescents need to recognize that this increasing pressure amounts to a significant toll on one’s mental health. Teetering on the edge of burn out is often glamorized and rewarded by society as being productive.

Over the past decade there has been a significant increase in the diagnosis of depression and anxiety disorders in adolescents. Social media encourages a wider discussion and support, but this still amounts to limited professional help for the vast majority of youth.