4 Critical Ways Adults Can Help When It Comes to Teen Mental Health

The teenage years are when young people explore their independence and develop a sense of personhood. However, teens these days are under a lot of pressure from school, extracurriculars, social norms, political strife, and more. Rates of depression and anxiety in teens are skyrocketing.

Some signs that a teen may be struggling with their mental health include:

Changes in sleep, weight, or appetite
Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed
Social withdrawal
Academic struggles
Irritability or noticeable mood changes
Indications of self-harm or substance abuse

Since teen years are already a time of emotional fluctuation, how can adults support teens who may be struggling with their mental health?

1. Create a nonjudgemental environment.

Part of the reason teens may not speak up about their mental health is a fear of being judged. At this age, they may begin to feel that depressed or anxious feelings define them.

Encourage them to share their experience in a nonjudgemental environment. Remind them that while this experience is real and valid, it isn’t permanent, and you can support them through it. Instead of asking, “How are you?” perhaps you ask them specifically about their day or invite them to join you in a task (like preparing a meal) where you can talk about their day.

2. Don’t try to solve it for them.

As an adult or parent, it’s easy to want to step in and solve problems for less experienced teens. However, this can actually invalidate their experience and intensify negative emotions. Don’t rush to fix anything for them if they haven’t explicitly asked for help. Instead, practice listening with empathy. It’s okay just to say, “That makes sense,” or, “That sounds difficult.” As they open up, you can work together to help them foster healthy habits and develop their own problem-solving skills.

3. Address thoughts of self-harm.

If you’re worried that a teen may be experiencing thoughts of self-harm, don’t be afraid to ask them about it. However, be mindful of your approach, as you don’t want to seem accusing. Perhaps you ask, “Have you ever thought of hurting yourself, or do you sometimes feel you don’t want to live anymore?”

Make sure it’s a time when you have their undivided attention. It’s a hard conversation to have. Try not to point anything out and simply listen to their response and sit with them through these tough feelings. Creating that nonjudgemental environment will help teens feel more comfortable sharing.

4. Look at the research.

It can be tempting to think there’s an immediate need for medication or that medication alone will fix everything. While medication may be the right course for some, it’s not for everyone. It’s important to be aware of what’s driving a teen’s depression or anxiety. Some drivers may be situational, like bullying or a bad breakup.

Allow them to play an active role in getting help and look at the options together. Research shows that CBT and DBT can be incredibly beneficial in helping teens learn to identify their emotions and cope with them.

Getting Help

As mentioned above, encourage teens to seek help. Therapy can help them express themselves in a third-party environment. They’ll also learn key emotional intelligence and coping skills. You can also talk with a family doctor about the next steps or medication-based approaches if that is the right path.

If a teen is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, don’t hesitate to call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 998 or text ‘TALK” to 741741. Then get in touch with a family doctor for immediate next steps.

Reach out to us today at Mindworthy Therapy to schedule your teen an initial appointment with one of our skilled and compassionate therapists.

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