STRESS: The Hidden Crisis in Our Public Schools

The Hidden Crisis in Our Schools: Stress, Student Overwhelm, and the Need for Change

By Kelley P. Spence PhD

In the last decade, the issue of adolescent stress has reached alarming levels, becoming one of the primary drivers of disengagement, mental health issues, and even suicide among teens. Stress is no longer seen as a temporary obstacle to overcome—it's become an entrenched part of the high school experience, an almost inevitable consequence of growing up. According to the CDC, suicide has been the second leading cause of death in adolescents aged 12-23 for decades. Between 2007 and 2021, suicide rates in this age group surged by a staggering 62%, with the sharpest increase between 2016 and 2017. This uptick in adolescent suicide, fueled by chronic stress, anxiety, and depression, signals a pressing public health crisis that demands urgent attention.

The Impact of Chronic Stress on Teens

At the core of this crisis is the unrelenting pressure students face in their daily lives. For many teens, stress isn't just an occasional burden; it's a constant, pervasive presence that affects their ability to enjoy life and succeed in school. In interviews conducted for my book The Voice of the Student, students from across the country shared their frustration with the overwhelming stress they experience in high school. One participant put it simply: "They want us to participate and get the most out of our time here [in high school], but how are we supposed to do that when we're always so stressed out and having to do non-stop schoolwork?"

These words are a wake-up call. Stress has become synonymous with school for many students, leading to feelings of helplessness, isolation, and an inability to enjoy the school experience. The lack of stress management resources in schools only amplifies these issues, leaving students to struggle on their own.

The Science Behind Stress and Its Effects on the Developing Brain

Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to the effects of chronic stress, as this is a critical time for brain development. High levels of stress interfere with the functioning of key brain areas like the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus—regions responsible for concentration, decision-making, memory, and emotional regulation. These areas are also essential for developing a positive sense of self and purpose.

As stress inhibits these brain functions, teens often experience difficulties with everyday school tasks, memory, decision-making, and emotional stability. Increased stress also contributes to social isolation, low self-esteem, and heightened levels of anxiety and depression. In short, the high levels of stress many students face can have profound, long-lasting consequences on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Moreover, the chronic stress associated with school has a direct impact on academic performance. Students under high stress, particularly before standardized tests or major assessments, often perform worse academically. The school environment, where teens spend the majority of their time, is a major source of this stress. And yet, despite the mounting evidence of stress's negative impact, few schools are providing students with the tools and strategies to manage it effectively.

A Call for Stress Management in Schools

In my research, none of the students I interviewed had experienced any formal education or instruction on how to manage stress. However, one student recalled that a teacher once offered stress-reduction techniques before tests, which proved incredibly helpful. Unfortunately, this kind of proactive approach remains rare.

The lack of focus on wellness and stress management in our schools is not only detrimental to students' mental health but also to their academic success. It is clear that students need more than just academic instruction—they need tools to help them navigate the emotional and psychological pressures they face every day.

The Power of Pause Moments: A Simple Solution

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to address student stress in the classroom is through what I call pause moments. These moments are short, intentional breaks where students and teachers take a brief period to breathe, reset, and recalibrate. These breaks—often lasting only a minute or two—can make a significant difference in reducing stress and improving focus, mood, and engagement in the classroom.

Pause moments don't require extra funding or elaborate training, and they can be easily integrated into the classroom routine. The technique is based on deep, intentional breathing, using a method called box breathing—a technique commonly used in high-stress situations, such as military training. The concept is simple: students breathe in for a count of four, hold for four, exhale for four, and hold again for four, visualizing the shape of a box as they do so.

Once students become familiar with this technique, it can be done quickly—typically in under two minutes. The benefits, however, are profound. Pause moments help students calm their nervous systems, improve their ability to focus, and reduce the emotional overwhelm and many more positive benefits that often accompanies high-stress and sometimes everyday situations.

Why Teachers Are Key to Reducing Student Stress

Teachers are uniquely positioned to make a significant impact on student stress. Despite the many challenges they face, educators have the power to create a positive classroom environment where students feel supported, engaged, and, most importantly, less stressed. As my research has shown, teachers have the greatest influence over a student's school experience. When teachers incorporate wellness practices like pause moments into their classrooms, they provide students with a lifeline—helping them to manage stress, improve focus, increase classroom engagement, and enhance their overall well-being.

The key to success is simplicity. Teachers don't need to become wellness experts or devote extra hours to stress management. Instead, small but impactful practices like pause moments can make a world of difference. These moments not only help students manage their stress but also foster a classroom environment where learning is more engaging, productive, and enjoyable.

Creating a Healthier, More Supportive School Culture

Incorporating wellness practices into the school environment is not just something that’s nice-to-have—it's essential for the mental and physical health of our students. It’s time for schools to move beyond outdated educational paradigms and acknowledge that student well-being must be prioritized alongside academic achievement. Students today are pleading for a more balanced, supportive educational experience that addresses their emotional and psychological needs in tandem with their academic goals.

As a society, we have a responsibility to provide our students with the tools they need to thrive—not just academically, but emotionally and socially as well. By integrating simple stress management techniques like pause moments, we can help students build the resilience and coping skills necessary to navigate the challenges of adolescence and beyond.

Conclusion: Students Deserve Better

The evidence is clear: chronic stress is a silent epidemic that is wreaking havoc on our adolescents, and schools are ground zero for this crisis. Until systemic changes are made to prioritize mental health in education, we must take action at the individual classroom level. Teachers, by incorporating even small, evidence-based practices like pause moments within the daily classroom lesson plan, can provide a much-needed support system for students struggling with stress. While also making their classrooms a calm, focused, balanced place to learn.

It's time to stop viewing school as a place where stress is an unavoidable part of the experience and start viewing it as an opportunity to teach students how to manage stress in healthy, productive ways. The students of today deserve better, and it's up to all of us to ensure that their educational experience is one that supports their mental, emotional, and academic growth.

In my book The Voice of the Student, I explore more ways to address this issue and highlight the many simple, practical techniques already successfully in use in schools across the world that can help create a healthier, more supportive learning environment for students and teachers alike. For step by step guidelines on transforming your classroom to better meet the needs of 21st-century students, make sure to check out our online course, Create Your Ideal Classroom, on our website: www.thevoiceofthestudent.com . The time for change is now. Our students are asking for it—and they deserve it.