By Patricia Fontejon 

In “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath, the main character Esther suffers from anxiety and depression. Similarly, in “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, protagonist Holden Caulfield suffers from post traumatic stress disorder after the passing of his brother. Both characters deal with their mental health in different ways with Esther undergoing electroshock therapy and Holden detaching from society. 

These two books were written and set in the 1950s, reflecting the mental health crisis during that time period. These two characters are both similar in how they represent the way the upper-class deals with mental illness. Yet, despite being a part of the elite few, there was still a stigma regarding the two characters’ problems. 

During the 1950s, mental illness was seen as taboo. The many that were dealing with depressive episodes were often ostracized from society and hidden away in mental facilities. 

Although mental health awareness has improved significantly, more and more teens are struggling with issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress. According to the World Health Organization, one in seven children aged 10-19 experiences a mental disorder. While these challenges have become more normalized, they have also evolved in complexity due to social and technological shifts. 

  The challenges teens face today extend far beyond just academics. Other issues such as bullying, familial dynamics, socio-economic disparities, and especially social media contribute to the rising levels of mental health struggles. Social media, in particular, fosters isolation and unrealistic portrayals of success, leading to a cycle of comparison and anxiety. 

  The pressure to maintain a curated online presence can further alienate teens, as platforms such as Instagram and TikTok showcase seemingly perfect lives including flawless grades, trendy clothes, and an idealized lifestyle. This constant exposure can create a need for validation, which reinforces feelings of self-doubt. 

The increasing pressures of modern life means that we need even more mental health resources in schools and communities. It’s no longer enough to just acknowledge these struggles, schools especially need to actively build in support systems to help students navigate these challenges. 

The Granada Hills Charter (GHC) Wellness Center offers that service with an average of 25-30 students visiting per day. 

“Every year, we have more and more students visit the Wellness Center,” school social worker Vicky Wen said. “For the 2023-2024 school year, we had over 2,500 sign-ins. This year, with it only being the end of February, we have already hit the 2,500 milestone. We also increase our numbers every year in regards to one-on-one meetings and new students at the Wellness Center.”  

Compared to Esther and Holden’s experiences, teenagers today navigate a vastly different landscape of mental health challenges. Although the stigma surrounding mental illness has lessened, the pressures teens face have only evolved. Esther and Holden struggled in an era when mental health support was limited. In contrast, teens now face a different set of challenges shaped by the complexities of a modern landscape. The rise of social media has created an environment where comparison is constant, and validation is fleeting. Unlike Esther and Holden, who battled their struggles in isolation, teens now experience mental health challenges in a hyperconnected world that amplifies anxiety and self-doubt.

As discussions about mental well-being become more integrated into daily life, it is essential to continue working towards a culture of understanding and support. By addressing the nature of mental health and the pressures that teens face today, the new norm for the next generation is to seek help, communicate their struggles, and break free from the stigma surrounding anxiety and depression.