The Quiet Challenges Youth Carry During the Holidays

The holiday season is often described as joyful, but for many young people, it can be emotionally complex. Routines change. Expectations rise. Comparisons increase. And the pressure to appear happy can make it harder to admit when things feel overwhelming.

Youth carry stress in ways adults don’t always see.

Academic pressure doesn’t pause for the holidays. Family dynamics can feel heavier when everyone is together more often. Financial stress at home can become more visible. Social media amplifies comparison, highlighting what others have instead of what is present.

At Three J Youth, we pay attention to what often goes unspoken.

We know that youth don’t always have the language to explain what they’re feeling. Sometimes they act out. Sometimes they withdraw. Sometimes they simply push through, believing their emotions don’t deserve space.

But emotions don’t disappear when they’re ignored. They build.

The holidays can be an opportunity to slow down and check in. To ask questions that go deeper than “How’s school?” To notice changes in behavior. To create moments where youth feel safe enough to be honest.

Support doesn’t require having all the answers. It requires presence.

This season, we encourage families, mentors, and communities to look beyond appearances. A young person who seems distant may be overwhelmed. One who seems disengaged may be carrying more than they know how to explain.

Connection matters most when it feels hardest.