Supporting Your Teenage Student

The teen years come with lots of exciting changes and adventures. While your teen is forming their own identity and interests, they will still need your help and support to navigate challenges that will come their way, including their mental health. 

The teenage years are often when a student begins to experience mental health concerns for the first time. It is so important that parents and adults know what signs to look for. It is also very important to dispel the notion that a mental health struggle is only a phase, or that your child is attention-seeking when they come to you with a mental health concern. This minimizes a student’s suffering and can decrease trust in the relationship, making them less likely to open up to you in the future. Similarly, talking about mental health concerns does not increase the risk that your child will develop a mental health condition—however, it does create a supportive space for a student to share with you if they start to experience any symptoms. Finally, mental health struggles don’t mean that a child is weak or not “mentally tough.”

Mental illnesses are treatable and there are providers who specialize in different diagnoses, the same as physical illnesses. 

Common mental health challenges that teens experience include depression, anxiety, self-harming thoughts and behaviors, eating disorders, and substance abuse. Each of these should be taken seriously and addressed immediately. Symptoms of depression are extremely common and consist of a persistent and pervasive feeling of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in activities that they once enjoyed. Anxiety can look like excessive worry, restlessness, frequent panic attacks, or avoiding certain situations. It is important to notice any changes in behavior and to ask your teen how they are doing. 

Here are some practical ways you can be supportive of your teen and their mental health:

Create a safe space

Let your child know that they can talk with you free of judgment. Children are much more likely to open up to you if they feel safe and supported. Sometimes, all a student needs is to feel heard. Often, they just need you to listen and validate their feelings. 

Know when to seek professional support

If your child shares that they are struggling emotionally, it is important that you believe them and assist with finding professional support. Just as you would go to the doctor for a cold, it is necessary to go to a mental health professional for an emotional concern. 

Encourage self-care

Proper sleep, nutrition, and physical activity contribute to mental well-being. Self-care often looks less like bubble baths and treats, and more like routines and strategies to manage day-to-day stress. Creative outlets like music, dance, journaling, and drawing can be excellent ways to manage big emotions. Having positive friend and peer relationships is crucial at this age and is an important way that teens can feel supported. 

By creating safe opportunities for students to share and having open discussions about mental health and wellness, we can help children grow into emotionally healthy adults.