Where Teens Search for Help Before They Ever Say the Word "Anxiety"

What Oregon and Kentucky Can Teach Us About Digital Mental Health Patterns in Youth

At 11:56 pm, a 16-year-old in Louisville types into her phone, “Why do I feel anxious all the time?”

An hour earlier, a high schooler outside Portland searches YouTube for “how to stop overthinking at night.”

They’re not looking for clinics. They’re not ready to say “I need therapy.”

They’re looking for reassurance. Language. Relief.

And they’re not alone.

In both Oregon and Kentucky, youth anxiety is skyrocketing - and the first place they turn isn’t a school counselor or parent. It’s their phones.

What the Data Tells Us: Teens Start With Search

National surveys show that 42% of U.S. youth aged 14–22 go online to find information about anxiety—making it one of the top-searched health concerns for their age group, just behind fitness and stress (Hopelab & Well Being Trust, 2018).

The most common anxiety-related queries?

• “Symptoms of anxiety”

• “Why do I feel overwhelmed all the time?”

• “How to calm an anxiety attack”

• “Do I have anxiety?” self-assessments

  
  

In Kentucky, 16% of children aged 3–17 have diagnosed anxiety or depression, among the highest rates in the U.S. (KIDS COUNT, 2022). Oregon ranks similarly, with some of the nation's highest youth depression and suicide rates (Oregon Capital Chronicle, 2025).

One Google Trends analysis found that Kentucky has higher relative search volume for youth anxiety terms than Oregon (MoneyGeek Report, 2025).

Where They're Searching: TikTok, YouTube, and Google

While 87% of U.S. teens report looking up health info online (HealthWriterHub), that journey increasingly starts on social platforms, not just Google.

According to Pew Research (2025),

• 34% of teens get mental health info from social media at least sometimes,

• 43% use TikTok,

• 39% use YouTube, and

• 38% use Instagram for this purpose.

TikTok, in particular, has become a hub for anxiety-related tips, relatable stories, and coping tools—often delivered by peers or therapists in under 60 seconds.

Youth in both urban (e.g., Portland, Louisville) and rural areas follow these trends, though platform access may vary with broadband availability.

It’s All Mobile—and It’s All Immediate

95% of U.S. teens own smartphones, and nearly half are online “almost constantly” (Pew Research, 2024).

More than 64% of teens have used health-related apps, including mood trackers, breathing tools, and meditation apps like Calm and Headspace (Quantified Self).

In both Kentucky and Oregon, even areas with limited broadband often have strong mobile access, making the smartphone the primary portal for help-seeking.

This is why clinics must optimize for mobile: a panicked teen won’t wait for your desktop site to load.

Why They Don’t Reach Out (Even When They Want To)

Despite high digital activity, most teens still hesitate to pursue professional care.

Top barriers include:

• Stigma: Even as 74% of teens say asking for help is a sign of strength, many fear judgment or embarrassment (The Jed Foundation, 2023).

• Access: 60% of youth with major depression receive no treatment, often due to provider shortages (Florida Hospital Association).

• Cost: In a 2023 survey, only 34% of parents said they could afford mental health services for their child (Daybreak Health, 2023).

• Confidentiality fears: Teens worry parents, teachers, or peers may find out what they share. Even with protections, many are unaware of minor consent laws (especially relevant in Oregon).

• Awareness gaps: 42% of teens say they don’t know how to articulate what they’re feeling or where to turn (Rachel’s Challenge).

It’s no surprise then that 48% of teens say they’d only seek professional help as a last resort—waiting until symptoms reach crisis levels (Daybreak Health, 2023).

What This Means for Mental Health Clinics

The opportunity is urgent—and wide open.

To reach and support anxious youth in states like Oregon and Kentucky:

• Show up in symptom-based searches – Optimize for what teens are actually typing: “why can’t I stop worrying,” not “generalized anxiety disorder.”

• Engage on TikTok and YouTube – Short, real, non-clinical videos build trust faster than landing pages.

• Prioritize mobile-first design – Teens are on their phones. Your content should be too.

• Speak like a peer, not a provider – Human-first language like “feel like your brain won’t shut off?” outperforms jargon.

• Offer low-barrier CTAs – “Not ready to book? Start with a private Q&A” works better than “Request an Appointment.”

Because before a teen ever says “I need therapy,” they whisper their fears to a search bar.

Your clinic’s job? Be the voice that answers back:

“You’re not alone. And yes—this can get better.”

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