Parent Guide: Talking to Your Teen About Anxiety
(based on 1 Peter 5:6–11)

Parent Guide: Talking to Your Teen About Anxiety
(based on 1 Peter 5:6–11)

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." – 1 Peter 5:7

1. Start With Empathy

Let your teen know it’s okay to feel anxious. Say things like:

-“That sounds really heavy. Want to talk about it?”
-“I’ve felt overwhelmed before too—can I tell you what helped me?”
-Don’t minimize their feelings. Listen more than you talk.

2. Model Healthy Responses

Teens learn by watching. Let them see how you deal with stress:

-Be honest about your own worries.
-Share how you pray, journal, talk to others, or slow down when life is too much.
-Talk about why you trust God even when you don’t have all the answers.

3. Point Them to God’s Care

Help them to see the promises of God's care for us in the Scriptures:

-Select some Bible passages to post around your house (on the fridge maybe), things like: Psalm 23; Matthew 11:28-30; Phil 4; Matthew 6; Psalm 139, etc.
-Ask: What do you think about that verse/passage? What does it mean?
-Talk: Brainstorm some habits that you could practice to embrace the truths of those verses.
-Pray: Pray for your kid, and with your kid.

4. Encourage Healthy Practices

Help them establish rhythms of rest and reflection:

-Sleep, food, screen time, and spiritual habits all affect anxiety.
-Pray with them before bed, or suggest a short devotional together.
-Encourage open space for them to recharge (creativity, music, nature, etc.)

5. Know When to Get Help

-If your teen’s anxiety is persistent, intense, or affecting their daily life, don’t be afraid to talk to a counselor or pastor. Seeking help is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.

💬 Conversation Starter:
“What’s been the heaviest thing on your mind lately? Do you feel like you’ve had to carry that alone?”