Start by reducing the pressure. A teenager who is overwhelmed does not need more encouragement to try harder – they need to feel heard, and they need the load to become manageable.

Practically: help them identify what specifically feels overwhelming (workload, social environment, a particular subject, the commute?); talk to the school or college about temporary adjustments; consider whether a short planned break might help reset things; and look at whether underlying anxiety, neurodivergence, or mental health needs are driving the overwhelm.

Long term: work towards provision that matches their capacity, not the other way round. The goal is sustainable engagement, not white-knuckling through.