Updated on 12/14/23

Knowing these statistics, it’s understandable that learning how to help a teenager with mental health issues is a pressing concern for many parents and caregivers. Understanding signs, symptoms, and coping strategies is crucial when supporting teenagers struggling. Conditions like anxiety disorders, depression, and disordered eating are not only widespread among young people, they’re also frequently missed.

The key lies in recognizing warning signs early and facilitating appropriate intervention. Continue reading to explore various ways to help teens struggling with their mental health.

Understand Teenage Mental Health Issues

Many symptoms of mental health conditions begin in adolescence. The risk factors can be genetic factors, peer relationships, trauma, or environmental stressors.

Teen TherapySpecialized online therapy for ages 13-17Learn more

Teen Therapy

Specialized online therapy for ages 13-17

Family history can contribute to developing conditions like bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia in teens, andstudies suggestthat traumatic experiences like abuse or neglect increase the risk of developing serious conditions.

Recentresearchlinks heavy social media use to poor mental health, highlighting the importance of parents or guardians monitoring a teen’s digital time, imposing limits, and providing support when needed.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Understanding and identifying warning signs is a critical first step in getting mental health help for teens. Adolescence can be a period of intense transformation, with regular shifts in behavior, mood, and personality. However, when these shifts become severe or persist for an extended period, they may indicate underlying mental health issues.

Symptoms to watch for

Create a Safe & Supportive SpaceDeveloping a secure and encouraging atmosphere is of utmost importance as you help your adolescent tackle mental health struggles. This involves ensuring their physical well-being and fostering emotional security.Ensure physical safetyThe first step towards providing a safe space for your teen’s mental health begins with guaranteeing their physical safety. Keep substances like alcohol or drugs — even prescription medication — out of reach to reduce the chance of misuse in attempts at self-medicating.Maintaining clean living spaces is important and can contribute to overall well-being, including brain function, healthy sleep habits, and mood regulation.Offer emotional supportEmotional support can help mitigate youth mental health crises. Promoting open communication within the family unit is another critical aspect.Mental Health Americashares ways to have healthy and productive conversations to help teens.Foster healthy relationshipsBesides familial ties, encourage healthy relationships between peers since social networks serve as buffers against stressors that can trigger anxiety and depression. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office on Women’s Healthnotes thatmore than a quarter (26%) of women and 15% of men say their first experience of partner violence occurred before they were 18. Education and intervention can help teens deal with toxic relationships.Maintain routineEstablishing routines provides structure and predictability, both critical elements for adolescents. Stress levels can significantly reduce with predictable daily schedules.Routine meals: Regular mealtimes ensure balanced nutrition and overall well-being, including brain function and mood regulation.Sleep schedule: Consistent bedtimes and wake-up times promote better quality sleep, directly impacting cognitive abilities and mood management.Daily exercise: Physical activity releases endorphins, “feel-good” hormones that help manage depression and anxiety symptoms.Homework time: Scheduled study periods encourage focus and productivity, reducing academic-related stressors.Child Mind Institutesuggests incorporating dedicated device downtime into daily schedules — for example, when in the car together or during mealtimes — to allow teens and parents to unwind, connect, and engage.“A few studies point to social media exposure time as having a depressive effect on the developing brain. Whistleblowers from major social media companies have stated that their product was engineered to make young girls feel bad about themselves. We already know that fast-paced content lowers our attention span and makes concentrating harder. More studies need to be done on theeffects of social media on teens, and the role 5G has on the developing brain. At this point, we may see a major experiment’s effects.”–Talkspace therapist Dr. Karmen Smith LCSW DD

Create a Safe & Supportive Space

Developing a secure and encouraging atmosphere is of utmost importance as you help your adolescent tackle mental health struggles. This involves ensuring their physical well-being and fostering emotional security.

Ensure physical safety

The first step towards providing a safe space for your teen’s mental health begins with guaranteeing their physical safety. Keep substances like alcohol or drugs — even prescription medication — out of reach to reduce the chance of misuse in attempts at self-medicating.

Maintaining clean living spaces is important and can contribute to overall well-being, including brain function, healthy sleep habits, and mood regulation.

Offer emotional support

Emotional support can help mitigate youth mental health crises. Promoting open communication within the family unit is another critical aspect.Mental Health Americashares ways to have healthy and productive conversations to help teens.

Foster healthy relationships

Besides familial ties, encourage healthy relationships between peers since social networks serve as buffers against stressors that can trigger anxiety and depression. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office on Women’s Healthnotes thatmore than a quarter (26%) of women and 15% of men say their first experience of partner violence occurred before they were 18. Education and intervention can help teens deal with toxic relationships.

Maintain routine

Establishing routines provides structure and predictability, both critical elements for adolescents. Stress levels can significantly reduce with predictable daily schedules.

Child Mind Institutesuggests incorporating dedicated device downtime into daily schedules — for example, when in the car together or during mealtimes — to allow teens and parents to unwind, connect, and engage.

“A few studies point to social media exposure time as having a depressive effect on the developing brain. Whistleblowers from major social media companies have stated that their product was engineered to make young girls feel bad about themselves. We already know that fast-paced content lowers our attention span and makes concentrating harder. More studies need to be done on theeffects of social media on teens, and the role 5G has on the developing brain. At this point, we may see a major experiment’s effects.”

Regularly Check in with Your Teen

Regular interaction with your teen is paramount. This goes beyond the standard “how was your day” conversation. Make the effort to dive into meaningful dialogue so you can better understand their thoughts and feelings.

Maintaining a connection is crucial in light of thecurrent youth mental health crisis. Remember, the objective isn’t immediately resolving all of your teenager’s mental health symptoms, but rather demonstrating they’re not alone and that people genuinely care about them.

Maintain open communication

Avoid cutting your teen off or offering solutions too hastily. Listen actively and empathetically and pay attention to signs like excessive worry or sadness, changes in sleep patterns, or new eating habits. These might suggest more severe underlying conditions that should be addressed.

Navigate difficult conversationsDiscussing sensitive topics like untreated mental health issues can be challenging for parents and teens alike. It’s essential to approach these topics carefully and thoughtfully to respect a teenager’s perspective. If possible, try talking during calm moments when neither of you feels rushed or under pressure.Encourage Them to Identify Their EmotionsGuiding teenagers to identify their emotions is integral. This crucial step is often referred to as emotional literacy, and it equips teenagers with essential tools for understanding and expressing their feelings effectively.Practice emotional literacyEmotional literacy is the ability to recognize, understand, and express emotions. For teenagers grappling with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, this skill can be incredibly beneficial. It enables them to articulate better what they’re feeling while helping them manage their feelings more effectively.Researchrecently published found that adolescents who can accurately identify their emotions have better mental health outcomes than those who can’t.To help your young adult develop emotional literacy skills, use the following strategies:Create an open dialogue: Establish a safe environment where your teen feels comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment or punishment.Educate about different emotions: Sometimes teenagers struggle to identify emotions simply because they lack knowledge. Providing education on this topic could prove helpful.Encourage teens to take time to address their emotions daily: Keeping ajournal for mental healthis a beneficial and effective coping tool.

Discussing sensitive topics like untreated mental health issues can be challenging for parents and teens alike. It’s essential to approach these topics carefully and thoughtfully to respect a teenager’s perspective. If possible, try talking during calm moments when neither of you feels rushed or under pressure.

Encourage Them to Identify Their Emotions

Guiding teenagers to identify their emotions is integral. This crucial step is often referred to as emotional literacy, and it equips teenagers with essential tools for understanding and expressing their feelings effectively.

Practice emotional literacy

Emotional literacy is the ability to recognize, understand, and express emotions. For teenagers grappling with mental health conditions like anxiety or depression, this skill can be incredibly beneficial. It enables them to articulate better what they’re feeling while helping them manage their feelings more effectively.

Researchrecently published found that adolescents who can accurately identify their emotions have better mental health outcomes than those who can’t.

To help your young adult develop emotional literacy skills, use the following strategies:

Help Them Find Ways to CopeSupporting teenagers in their mental health journey involves equipping them with effective coping strategies. These tools can help teens manage symptoms and navigate challenging situations.Cognitive behavioral techniquesCognitive behavioral therapy techniques, like cognitive restructuring and mindfulness, are proven to effectively manage many treatable mental health conditions. Cognitive restructuring helps teens challenge negative thought patterns that may contribute to their distress, while mindfulness encourages focusing on the present moment rather than worrying about the past or future.Maintain an active lifestyleA healthy lifestyle plays a vital role in supporting teens’ mental health. Regular exercise can diminish the manifestations of anxiety and depression. Encourage your teen to participate in activities they enjoy, like sports, dancing, or yoga, to provide both physical benefits and emotional relief.Social support networksFostering strong social connections is another crucial aspect of helping teenagers cope. Friends who understand what your teen is going through can offer empathy, encouragement, and companionship during difficult times.

Help Them Find Ways to Cope

Supporting teenagers in their mental health journey involves equipping them with effective coping strategies. These tools can help teens manage symptoms and navigate challenging situations.

Cognitive behavioral techniques

Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, like cognitive restructuring and mindfulness, are proven to effectively manage many treatable mental health conditions. Cognitive restructuring helps teens challenge negative thought patterns that may contribute to their distress, while mindfulness encourages focusing on the present moment rather than worrying about the past or future.

Maintain an active lifestyle

A healthy lifestyle plays a vital role in supporting teens’ mental health. Regular exercise can diminish the manifestations of anxiety and depression. Encourage your teen to participate in activities they enjoy, like sports, dancing, or yoga, to provide both physical benefits and emotional relief.

Social support networks

Fostering strong social connections is another crucial aspect of helping teenagers cope. Friends who understand what your teen is going through can offer empathy, encouragement, and companionship during difficult times.

Seek Professional Help for Teens

For parents and caretakers, it’s critical to learn how to help a teenager with mental health issues. If you notice your teen’s mental health symptoms escalate, it might be time to seek professional help. Mental health is often treatable, and early intervention with a mental health professional can significantly improve mental health treatment outcomes.

This virtual platform allows young adults experiencing mental health concerns to access support without leaving home. It also ensures privacy, which many adolescents appreciate when dealing with sensitive issues such as anxiety or depression. Talkspace’s mental health service for teens helps protect their mental well-being while accommodating their often busy schedules. Reach out to learn how to access mental health help for teens through Talkspace.

Sources:

Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.

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