Toxic positivity is the belief that no matter how difficult a situation may be and what emotions are being experienced, an individual should maintain a positive mindset throughout it. Even though it may sound like it is helpful and harmless, it can often result in the suppression of negative emotions such as sadness, anger, or fear. Phrases such as “just stay positive” or “it could be worse” may seem well-meaning, but they can invalidate someone’s struggles. Toxic positivity typically dismisses negative emotions and can lead to the denial of owns emotions. It is known to make individuals feel ashamed of their struggles as if experiencing negative emotions makes them weak or ungrateful. This can lead to feelings of isolation, as people may withdraw from others rather than risk being judged.
The Impact on Teen Mental Health
Toxic positivity can have several impacts on mental health including how it can result in teens’ feeling pressured to hide their true feelings to appear what they have been told is “normal” and strong. This emotional surpression can build up over time, which in turn, can increase anxiety, irritability, and sometimes even depression. It can also result in increased loneliness, If teenagers feel as though they can’t talk honestly about their struggles without being met with “advice” on staying positive, they may isolate themselves rather than seek support. This can lead to feelings of disconnection and loneliness, even when surrounded by friends or family. Toxic positivity also teaches the unrealistic expectation that happiness is the only acceptable emotion. Lastly, it can result in the stigmataztion of mental health, when their feelings are constantly brushed off, it can prevent them from reaching out and getting the help they need since they feel as though their emotions arent valid or “serious enough”.
What Can Help Instead?
One of the most helpful ways to counter toxic positivity is by normalizing all emotions. When teens are reminded that it’s okay to feel sad, frustrated, or overwhelmed, they begin to understand that emotions are a natural part of life and that they are not something to be hidden or “fixed.” This can reduce the pressure that comes with toxic positvity of pretending everything is fine and in turn, allows them to process their feelings in a healthy way. Another extremely important factor is using supportive language. Rather than responding with phrases like “just stay positive,” saying things like “I understand this is hard” or “it’s okay to feel that way” can validate what an individual is going through and make them feel seen. In addition to that, Encouraging honest conversations can help too. When they know they won’t be judged or invalidated for sharing difficult emotions, they’re more likely to open up and talk about what they are feeling and their needs. Lastly, it can be very helpful to see adults model emotional openness. Seeing someone else talk about their own experiences with stress, sadness, or failure shows teens that it’s normal to have hard days and seeking help is okay.
