When we think of summer break and teens, we often think of lazy, carefree mornings and time spent with friends.  However, even in the best of situations, today's teens struggle with a great deal of stress, from hormonal shifts to academic and peer pressure.  A recent survey indicates that 43 percent of 13- to 14-year-olds say they feel stressed every single day; by ages 15 to 17, the number rises to 59 percent.1   Day to day pressures, combined with tough economic times don't just impact adults.  Jobs, an economic recession and family finances can also prove stressful for teens, as nearly two-thirds of them say they are "somewhat" or "very concerned" about their personal finances.2 

As the greatest influence in your teen's life, it is essential to continue building communication and trust with your teen.  During difficult times, stress can easily become unmanageable, often leaving teens to find their own ways of coping if they do not have guidance from a parent or caregiver.  Often, these coping mechanisms may involve unhealthy behaviors, such as drinking, smoking marijuana, and engaging in other risky behaviors.3  Help your teen learn to handle stress by recognizing signs they may be stressed-out, and through teaching and modeling healthy behaviors and coping strategies.   

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released an online guide that provides practical advice on addressing emotional health issues related to the economic hard times.  The "Getting Through Tough Economic Times" guide, available at www.samhsa.gov/economy/, provides practical advice on identifying health concerns, developing coping skills and finding help.