A Call for Help: New Report Highlights Socioemotionnal Needs of Adolescents

Weir, K. (2025) U.S. teens need far more emotional and social support. American Psychological Association.

Introduction

Kirsten Weir’s recent report, U.S. Teens Need Far More Emotional and Social Support, offers a thought-provoking analysis of the growing chasm between adolescent needs and adult perceptions. Drawing from the National Health Interview Survey and its adolescent-specific counterpart, the report captures the emotional disconnect faced by U.S. teens in an era defined by digital overexposure, societal unrest, and pandemic fallout. 

Despite the widespread assumption among adults that today’s adolescents are emotionally supported, nearly two in five teens report the opposite. According to 2021–2022 CDC data, only 58.5% of teens said they “always or usually” received the social and emotional support they needed. In sharp contrast, 93.1% of parents reported their child had adequate support. This discrepancy is more than a perceptual mismatch; it is a critical blind spot with tangible consequences.

Methods

Self-reported data from adolescents and parents was collected via the National Health Interview Survey, a comprehensive tool used by the CDC to track public health indicators. 

Results

The core finding—that there is a nearly 35-point percentage gap between teens who say they are supported and parents who believe their child is—is both shocking and instructive. This gap correlates strongly with negative health outcomes. Teens lacking support report poorer general health, disrupted sleep patterns, and elevated levels of anxiety, depression, and overall dissatisfaction with life.

Further demographic analysis adds nuance to the data. Marginalized groups—including LGBTQ+ youth, Black and Hispanic adolescents, and girls—are disproportionately affected. For example, fewer than half of sexual and gender minority teens report consistent emotional support. Moreover, rural teens continue to face compounded barriers to connection due to geographic isolation and limited access to mental health resources.

Discussion

Weir’s narrative situates these findings within broader cultural and historical shifts. Even prior to the pandemic, time spent in face-to-face interactions among adolescents was in decline, replaced by an exponential rise in screen time. Digital platforms, while offering connection opportunities, often deliver shallow or even harmful social interactions, such as cyberbullying or exposure to harmful content.

Importantly, Weir highlights that peers, while essential, cannot fully substitute for the unique role of trusted adults. Psychologists and youth advocates are working to strengthen teen–adult mentorship as a buffer against loneliness, mental health decline, and emotional disconnection.

Implications for Mentoring Programs

Programs should recognize that adolescents are not a monolith. Marginalized youth—including LGBTQ+ teens, youth of color, and those in rural or underserved communities—require tailored outreach that affirms their identity, builds trust, and provides safe avenues for self-expression.

Mentors should also be trained to recognize subtle indicators of unmet emotional needs and to create environments where adolescents feel safe voicing vulnerabilities. Furthermore, mentoring initiatives should not only focus on individual relationships but also advocate for systemic changes that prioritize youth mental health across schools, families, and digital spaces.

Read the full report here