Nervous children: schoolchildren began to turn to psychologists more often
In the fall of 2026, the demand for services for child and adolescent psychologists doubled compared to the summer, market participants and experts told Izvestia. Parents increasingly consider isolation, suspiciousness, and loss of interest in learning to be only a manifestation of a "difficult age." Instead of waiting for the problems to go away by themselves, adults turn to specialists. Experts note that it is more difficult for modern teenagers to cope with stress, and emotional difficulties can be accompanied by mood swings and depressive states. What signs can indicate serious emotional difficulties and how to properly support a child can be found in the Izvestia article.
Why is demand growing
In 2026, the number of requests for psychological help for children and adolescents in Russia increased by 28%, the Yasno service told Izvestia. This trend has been going on for several years now.
— In September, the share of requests from parents concerned about the psychological state of their children reached 6% of the total number of requests. This is the maximum in the last five years," said Ekaterina Artemenko, the service's community director and psychologist.
According to her, in early autumn, the demand for specialists in working with children and adolescents was 60% higher than in August.
— After the summer holidays, the usual daily routine changes, the educational and social burden increases. During this period, parents may be more acutely aware of changes in the child's emotional state," the expert explained.
Analysts "Profi.<url> also recorded an increase in demand: since the beginning of the school year, teenagers have started contacting psychologists twice as often as in the summer.
"This fall, the demand for psychological services as a whole increased by 21% compared to June — August," experts noted in an interview with the editorial board. — The main contribution to the dynamics was made by the child and adolescent segment - in October, the number of orders increased by 75%. For comparison, the demand for adult psychologists increased by 16%, and for family specialists — by 4%.
According to the data hh.ru In 2026, Russian employers posted 18% more vacancies for child and adolescent psychologists than in the past. Most often, such specialists were sought in Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Moscow region, Krasnodar Territory, Yaroslavl and Nizhny Novgorod regions.
What worries teenagers
According to the Yasno service, about 73% of referrals to child psychologists are related to adolescents aged 12-16. At this age, students become more independent, learn to build relationships with their peers and form an idea of themselves, Ekaterina Artemenko explained.
— It can be difficult for parents to understand which changes are natural for growing up, and which require the attention of a specialist. Most often, adults apply because of the emotional state of children - such requests account for 85%, — said the psychologist.
More than half of parents report increased anxiety in adolescents. Other common problems include low self—esteem, depression, mood swings, withdrawal, phobias, and decreased interest in learning.
However, the nature of the difficulties depends on the age. According to Artemenko, adolescents aged 12-16 are more likely to have depressive states (46%) and low self-esteem (43%). In children aged 8-11, anxiety (46%) and increased emotionality (41%) come to the fore.
An increase in the number of referrals to psychologists may indicate both an increase in difficulties among children and the fact that parents are more likely to seek professional support, says Maria Shchelochkova, a lecturer at the Moscow Institute of Psychoanalysis and a clinical psychologist.
"Attitudes towards mental health have changed: parents increasingly perceive a psychologist as a support resource, rather than as an extreme measure," she told Izvestia. — Children face fears, anxiety, conflicts with peers, and difficulties adapting to school. Teenagers are also worried about their appearance and loneliness, they may be bullied and experience severe stress before exams.
In severe cases, such problems can lead to depression, eating disorders, and self-harm, the psychologist warned.
Have children become more anxious
Anna Kiryushina, a teacher-psychologist, believes that the increase in referrals to specialists is a good sign. Parents are less likely to explain their children's experiences with a "difficult age" and are more likely to seek professional support.
— I'm not ashamed to work with a psychologist anymore. There is more trust between parents and children, and adults are willing to discuss their experiences with teenagers. Some guys come to specialists on their own. Most often they complain of anxiety, especially before exams," she told Izvestia.
According to Kiryushina, it is more difficult for modern children to cope with emotional stress due to the changed living conditions.
— This is not a weakness, but a reaction to a new reality. Adolescence itself is associated with increased anxiety, and today social networks, constant information flow, uncertainty, competition and stress are added to this," the psychologist explained.
The task of a specialist is not to "harden the psyche" of a child, but to help him adapt to these conditions, Kiryushina concluded.
Earlier, Izvestia wrote that Russian teenagers aged 15-17 were 1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with behavioral and mental disorders. According to Rosstat reports, 18.5 thousand such cases were registered in 2015, and 28.3 thousand in 2024. The indicator has also increased among children under 14 years of age, but not so significantly. The trend was confirmed in eight regional ministries of health from among those that responded to editorial inquiries. Neurosis, depression, anxiety disorders, and autism were most common among minors.
It is important to distinguish age-related difficulties from mental disorders, Maria Shchelochkova noted.
"Aggression, isolation, or a teenager's refusal to go to school may hide various reasons: anxiety, overload, insecure relationships with classmates, or developmental disabilities," she said. — Sometimes a psychiatrist needs to be involved in working with a child.
The expert noted that the ability to recognize a problem and seek specialist support is an important adaptation resource. Mental stability develops through overcoming feasible difficulties, experience of independent decisions and affordable help.
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