Navigating the Mind-Field: How to Help Your Teen Defuse Mental Health Struggles

|The teen years are difficult for everyone, but adolescence also marks the onset of many mental health disorders. It's possible you may mistake your teen's outbursts or withdrawn nature as "just being a teen", but sometimes, these behaviors can actually indicate a deeper issue. If you've noticed your teenager is struggling with their mental health, here's how to help. 

Please note: This article does not contain healthcare or therapeutic advice. If you are concerned about your health or well-being, speak with a health professional or visit your nearest medical facility in an emergency.

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Navigating the Mind-Field:
​How to Help Your Teen Defuse Mental Health Struggles

​Educate Yourself First
The stigma around mental health is changing, but most people still don't fully understand the nature of the most common disorders such as depression, anxiety and bipolar disorder. Many of the symptoms people experience can look very different than how they feel on the inside, so it's vital that parents of struggling teens learn the fundamentals of mental health. 

Online research or even meeting with a mental health professional can do wonders for your educational efforts. Check out these sites to start your reading and learn the most important facts about your teen's mental health: 
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• "Mental Health by the Numbers" - National Alliance on Mental Illness
• "Mental Illness and the Family: Recognizing Warning Signs and How to Cope" - Mental Health America
• "The Teen Brain: 6 Things to Know - National Institute of Mental Health Start a Conversation

Rather than begging your teen to tell you what's wrong, begin a conversation about mental health. Don't offer a diagnosis and tell your teen how to fix themselves. Instead, let them know that you notice they're struggling and care about their problems. Share any personal experiences you may have gone through and offer plenty of reassurance. Let them know you love and care for them and will do all you can to help.

Whether your child is experiencing depression or anxiety related to their sexuality, self-image, or something else entirely, it's important to let them know that you are not going to judge them for how they're feeling or who they are. Trust and emotional support from loved ones are cornerstones of positive mental health, especially when it comes to teenagers who are wrestling with their identities and trying to find a place in the world. 

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​Look for Treatment Centers
It's important to get help from professionals. Speaking to an adolescent psychologist and family therapist can provide your teen with important coping strategies for their struggles and help everyone in the household learn how to be more supportive and communicative.

There are many different types of treatment centers for everything from eating disorders to depression and many more other mental illnesses common among teens and adults that offer both in-patient and outpatient therapy. If you or your teen go to regular therapy, ask your mental health professional if they have any recommendations for your situation. For example, if your teen struggles with bulimia and nothing seems to be working, looking into bulimia treatment centers might be the answer. Be sure to consult a licensed therapist before making any changes or decisions about what is best for your teen.

Don’t Play the Blame Game
Remember that you did not fail as a parent if your teenager has mental health problems and they are not failing if they suffer from any particular condition. Mental illness is highly common. In fact, one in five American adults have a mental health condition. Rather than focusing on the "how" and "why," concentrate on your teen's present struggles and finding help. 

The best thing you can do as a parent of a teen struggling with mental health issues is to be present, supportive and active in treatment. Encourage honest and open communication and get outside help if you or your teen think that’s the right decision for your situation.

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Additional Resources

• What You Need to Know About Eating Disorders & Youth
• The Connection Between Body Image & Self-Esteem
• Eating Disorders: Treatment, Support & Recovery

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