Mental Health Awareness for Teens
May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Let’s take note of a particular population that has been facing a unique set of challenges over the past few years- our teens. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a loss of socialization skills, an increase in stress, and a disruption in the routines and norms of our teens’ lives. In fact, there is no better time to raise awareness of the importance of addressing the mental health needs of teenagers as the ramifications of their challenges are now being seen more readily both at school and at home. Unfortunately, factors such as negative stigma and the unavailability of resources have posed barriers to meeting the increased demands. So, how can adequately address this gap in treatment? Here are a few tips for parents to help support their teens in navigating through supporting their mental health needs post-pandemic.
Break the Stigma. Often parents and teenagers view therapy in a negative light and see it as being equated with “being crazy.” However, this cannot be further from the truth. We all struggle to manage our emotions from time to time. This truth needs to be normalized. However, teenagers often face even more obstacles due to increasing hormones, peer pressure, and developing brain function. So, what can parents do to help? We can talk to our teens to normalize feeling their emotions and seeking help when feeling excessively overwhelmed. Frame the conversation as you would if your teen had another medical symptom that was causing them distress. You would seek medical attention for that, wouldn’t you? The same holds true for mental distress- if the symptoms are causing you difficulties, you seek help. Prioritizing well-being is key.
Encourage Healthy Habits. Have you noticed that your teen is spending more time on social media or has lost interest in activities that they used to enjoy? Do they have a tendency to oversleep or binge snack? If so, it may be time to open the lines of communication and encourage healthier social interactions, physical activity, or healthier eating habits. However, overscheduling of activities should also not be overlooked, as this can cause your teen to be stressed as well. Paying attention to all of these changes in your teen’s habits can help you to encourage small changes. For example, habit stacking is a useful tool where changing one problematic habit at a time later leads to building an overall healthier lifestyle. Praise your teen for making these small changes and focusing on progress, not perfection.
Make Home a Judgement-Free Zone. Teens often express feeling “judged” by their parents as a reason why they cannot positively communicate with them. So, how do we guide and support our teenagers as a parent, instead of acting as a friend? This is often easier said than done. One approach to positive communication is active listening. As parents, we are often quick to criticize and point out the negative when reprimanding our teens. Instead try listening without internally formulating a response, validating how they are feeling, and offering empathy before suggestions. Approaching your teen this way may help them to lower their defenses and feel more comfortable opening up without pressure at their own timing.
Recognize the Red Flags. Ok, so once you get your teen to express how they are feeling, then what happens? Try looking for signs that additional mental health support may be necessary. For instance, despite your communication effort, does your teen tend to sleep excessively or are their grades at school dropping? Signs such as these may indicate that they are struggling to find ways to cope. If so, it may be time to reach out to their doctor, a qualified therapist, or contact your teen’s school counselor for further assistance and support.
How Am I Feeling? As parents, we often overlook our own mental well-being in order to take care of everyone else around us. This is a noble quality but can sometimes be problematic. Factors such as stressful jobs, financial demands, hectic family schedules, and increasing societal demands to “do it all,” have made parenting teens more challenging than ever before. So, how do we take care of ourselves, while taking care of the needs of everyone else at the same time? Good question. First, we need to practice what we are preaching to our teens. If we are telling them to slow down, socialize with people, practice self-care, etc., then maybe we should try too. Do you find yourself yelling more at your teen before listening? Like many parents, stress will do that to us. It is important for parents to become more aware of their own emotions, coping mechanisms, and triggers. Know when it is time for you to seek outside support so that you can encourage your teens to “hear you out” if they see you doing the same.
Mental health has become an increasingly prominent issue in our teens’ lives today. As parents, it is essential that we do not neglect the signs that your teen may need the help of a qualified professional. So, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, take the time to look for these signs in your teen. Ask the questions, listen with intent, and encourage normalcy in seeking help. Doing so is the first step towards providing our teens with the tools and situations needed to thrive in mental wellness.
Author: Vanessa LaBruzza, LAC