Supporting Black and Brown children in schools requires a nuanced understanding of the emotional and behavioral challenges they face. For many asolescents, school can be a source of overwhelming stress and anxiety. From navigating academic expectations to facing social pressures, school anxiety is a very real challenge for many teens.
Many parents, if not all, might feel a sense of anxiety themselves from the feeling of uncertaincy when trying to navigate how to help, especially when they see their child struggle.
However, understanding the underlying causes of anxiety during the adolescent years and knowing how to provide support can make a world of difference.
Why Do Teens Experience School Anxiety?
Teenagers, in general, face a range of developmental and environmental stressors that can contribute to anxiety. However, adolescents of color often have additional layers of stress, such as systemic racism, societal pressures, and the weight of expectations. Here are some common reasons why school-related anxiety may arise:
- Academic Pressure: Adolescents are often expected to perform well in school and may feel immense pressure to succeed. This can be compounded by expectations from various individuals and entities, such as school itself, who may emphasize academic achievement as a pathway to success. State-wide tests also wreak havoc on the pressure that a teenager might experience in school due to test anxiety that might affect memory.
For some teenagers, they perform well through test anxiety. For others, they end up “spiraling” when they find out about disappointing test results. These individuals will likely become more anxious during their next exam, and experience a possible disappointing result again, and spiral once more, thus creating an emotionally harmful cycle. When this occurs, the adolescent could also experience depression because of the potential negative self-talk and self-thought processes that they might have told themself during this process. - Social Anxiety: In predominantly white schools or programs, teens of color may feel isolated. They may also face social exclusion, bullying, or microaggressions due to feeling “othered” or different than the majority of other students because of the color of their skin. These particular students might hold the weight of negative and false judgment that others might have towards them.
These experiences can lead to social anxiety, where teens are afraid of their peers or teachers who place these negative perceptions onto them. Because of this, the adolescent might hold themselves back from participating in classroom discussions or doing their best to be included in various aspects of school, such as forming friendships and relationships with their peers and teachers.
- Racial Identity and Microaggressions: Adolescents of color may deal with racial identity issues, especially in environments where they feel underrepresented or marginalized. Microaggressions—subtle, discriminatory comments or actions—can also create a stressful environment, contributing to feelings of inadequacy. The result might be symptoms of anger, anxiety, or depression that might negatively affect their experience when they try to navigate school. For example, many Black and Brown adolescents who have names that aren’t the common White American name might feel “othered” in a majority White school environment due to racial stereotypes that other students might knowingly or unknowingly have.
- Mental Health Stigma: In some communities of color, mental health struggles can carry stigma. Teens may feel pressure to “be strong” or hide their struggles, leading to suppressed emotions that intensify anxiety. When this occurs, the teen might not come forth to an adult or parent with the worries they might be experiencing. They end up trying to “handle it” on their own. The negative repercussions of this could be great, depending on if the situation is in-fact something that the teen could handle, and how well the teen copes. However, when the teen is in a dangerous or highly bothersome and disturbing situation, the results could sometimes be very dangerous. To combat this, mental health services are absolutely essential to safeguard against anything that is harmful.
- Future Uncertainty: Concerns about the future might exist and cause anxiety. Many teens take college credit courses, especially in high-achieving environments and schools. The exposure to new and advanced opportunities assists the student in gaining additional knowledge in areas they might have yet to access. However, this could negatively affect some students who might not know what they want to do as a career, thus causing them to feel unsure about which courses to choose from, and then unsure about their life altogether. The question of “What do you want to do when you grow up” thus becomes an extremely difficult and complex question to answer when you’re only 15 years into your life.
What Does School Anxiety Look Like?
Symptoms of school anxiety can manifest in many ways, both physical and emotional. Some signs to look for include:
- Excessive worrying about school or future events
- Avoidance of school-related activities, such as skipping classes or avoiding homework
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or fatigue
- Trouble sleeping or changes in appetite
- Irritability, frustration, or mood swings
- Withdrawal from social activities or friends
- Difficulty concentrating or maintaining focus
How Parents Can Help Their Teen Manage School Anxiety
As a parent, you play a crucial role in helping your child manage anxiety. Here are some strategies to consider:
- Create a Safe Space for Communication: Encourage open conversations about how your teen is feeling. Make it clear that it’s okay to feel anxious and that you’re there to support them. Be sure to listen without judgment and offer validation to their concerns.
- Normalize Anxiety and Mental Health: Help your teen understand that anxiety is a normal part of life, but it doesn’t have to control them. Discuss the importance of mental health, and if possible, share your own experiences with anxiety or stress to show them that they’re not alone.
- Encourage Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Teach your teen ways to cope with stress, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or journaling. Encourage them to engage in physical activities or hobbies they enjoy, as these can be effective outlets for anxiety.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Academic and social pressures can feel overwhelming for teens. Help your child set achievable goals, and remind them that it’s okay not to be perfect. Encourage balance, so that school responsibilities don’t consume their entire lives.
- Advocate for Your Teen: If your teen is facing racial discrimination, bullying, or systemic challenges in their school environment, advocate for them. Meet with teachers, counselors, or school administrators to address these issues. Empower your teen by showing them that they deserve to feel safe and supported at school.
How Coral Heart Counseling Helps Teens with Anxiety
At Coral Heart Counseling, we have therapists who focus on individualized care with adolescents, recognizing that each teen’s experience is unique. We work closely with both the adolescent and their family to ensure that the treatment approach aligns with their cultural background, personal values, and emotional needs.
One specific therapy approach that a therapist might utilize is Mindfulness and Somatic therapy practices. During these forms of therapy, the client is guided towards thinking about a balanced way of feeling in their body, thus decreasing the physical symptoms of anxiety.
Another approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which assists in reframing negative thought processes and thinking differently and in a more positive light.
Therapy can be a powerful tool in helping adolescents manage their anxiety, but parental involvement is also crucial. We recommend that parents stay involved in the therapeutic process by checking in with their teen about their progress and challenges.
The Road to Healing and Empowerment
School anxiety is a common challenge for many adolescents, but it can feel incredibly intense for teens of color. By understanding the root causes of anxiety, offering support at home, and seeking professional help when needed, parents can help their teens navigate this difficult time and come out stronger.
At Coral Heart Counseling, we are committed to walking alongside families and teens as they work to overcome disturbing experiences and build resilience for the future.