6 Simple Tips When Talking to Your Teen About Mental Health

Living with a youth can be stressful for parents. Often they seem to change overnight from friendly and agreeable children to difficult strangers. In the adolescent years, the brain is experiencing a lot of changes, and youth may be less able to manage emotions, make good judgments and control impulses.

Most of the time, this is just a natural part of growing up. Young people are simply searching for their own personal identity.

Sometimes, however, there are signs that can point to something more serious, such as ADHD, anxiety or depression. Mental illness can prevent a young person from performing in school or making friends, and in some instances, may lead to depression and even thoughts of suicide.

Equally alarming are the reports showing that three out of four children and youth with a mental health problem or illness will not receive treatment. So now is the time to open the door to a new conversation about youth mental health. Here are six things parents can do:

1. Demonstrate that you value and accept them for who they are.

2. Build in special time together every day.

3. Try asking them questions and listening without judgment.

4. Try to eat together whenever possible – mealtimes are good times to talk and listen – and be sure to avoid allowing family members to email, text, or watch TV during this time.

5. Boost their self-confidence by supporting good decision-making, assertiveness, coping skills and perseverance. Help your youth create a wider network of support and develop strong relationships with others, from hanging out with friends to joining team sports or participating in other activities.

6. Try to avoid involving them in adult problems.

Additional information is available within the free parent guide from the national charity, Partners for Mental Health at www.rightbyyou.ca.

By Jeff Moat

Jeff Moat is the President of Partners for Mental Health, an organization that seeks to transform the way Canadians think about, act towards and support mental health and people living with a mental illness.

Source: 1Waddell C, Offord DR, Shepherd CA, Hua JM, McEwan K. (2002). Child Psychiatric Epidemiology and Canadian Public Policy-Making: The State of the Science and the Art of the Possible. Can J Psychiatry, 47(9), 825-832.

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