8 Tips On How to Support Teen Mental Health

Your teen is going through a lot. They’re growing up and transitioning into adulthood, dealing with all emotions as part of that process. It’s normal for teens to struggle with mental health issues at times, but it can be helpful to know what you can do to support them during this time. Here are some tips on how you can help your teen deal with their mental health concerns:

Talk to your teen about mental health.

• Talk to your teen about mental health.
•  It is important to talk about mental health, as it can be difficult to broach with children and teens. While talking openly with your child may feel awkward at first, there are many ways you can help them feel comfortable sharing their feelings with you. For example: asking questions like “What do you think happened?” or “What did this make you think?” will allow them to share their thoughts without having too much pressure on them (this will also allow for more open conversation). You should also avoid labeling yourself as being “good” or “bad” regarding what someone else has done; instead, focus on understanding and being supportive of whatever choices they have made in life thus far.

Be careful about media consumption.

It’s easy to get caught up in social media, but it can also be a source of anxiety for teens. If your child spends too much time on their phone or computer, you may want to consider limiting their access to this type of media. You might also want to ensure they’re getting enough sleep each night; research has shown that teenagers who don’t sleep enough are more likely than those with mental health issues such as depression or anxiety disorders.

When it comes down to it, there isn’t one single solution for supporting teen mental health—it requires careful consideration and planning by everyone involved (including yourself). That being said: if you’ve noticed any signs that your teenager is struggling with mental health issues like depression or panic attacks lately, then there are some things you can do immediately!

Get outside and move every day.

Get outside and move every day.

It’s no secret that exercise is good for your health and helps you feel better mentally. Spending time in nature or at a park while your teen plays sports or walks around the block will encourage them to get moving more often. It’s important to note that physical activity alone isn’t enough—you need to ensure they’re getting some mental stimulation too! If your child is going through a tough emotional time (and who isn’t?), try finding activities involving teamwork or communication skills. Hence, they learn to work together effectively with other people their age.

The best thing you can do for your teen is listen, follow through, and believe them.

•  Listen.
• Follow through on what you promise.
• Believe them when they tell you something, whether good or bad (it might not always be true). Don’t take it personally if your teen doesn’t want to talk about the situation with you immediately—sometimes teens need time alone and space to process things before they’re ready for others’ opinions and advice.

Make sure everyone knows, including family members, school personnel, and neighbors.

If you’re raising a teen, chances are that your child has some friends and family members who have been there for them throughout their journey. It’s important to ensure everyone knows what you are doing and how they can support your son or daughter.

• Talk to those who are important in your teen’s life. Make sure they understand this issue is worth addressing, and offer suggestions on how they could help (or if they prefer, ask them politely).
• Ask other adults with whom your son or daughter spends time regularly—from teachers at school to coaches on sports teams—to keep an eye out for signs of mental health issues so that any early intervention strategies can be implemented should something arise during everyday life activities like homework completion assignments due dates deadlines, etc.,

Make sure your teen gets enough sleep.

There’s no doubt that sleep is important for teens, but it can be hard to quantify how much sleep they need. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends eight hours per night for children ages 6-12. However, this may vary depending on your child’s age and activity level. For example, an adolescent who plays sports or has a demanding school schedule may need more than 8 hours of sleep every night—as long as he doesn’t stay up late watching TV or hanging out with friends after lights out!

What happens if your teen doesn’t get enough sleep? It’s worth noting that some parents have reported being unable to wake up their teens in the morning when they don’t fall asleep until 2 or 3 in the morning (which means they aren’t getting enough rest). In addition, not getting enough shut-eye can lead directly to moodiness and irritability throughout the day; these feelings often surface right before bedtime when teens are most likely to drift off into dreamland without realizing what’s happening around them!

Practice self-care as a family.

As a parent, it can be difficult to support your teen when struggling. But self-care is important for everyone, not just teens. You may not realize how much you need it until you start feeling overwhelmed or stressed by life’s challenges. It’s important to make time for yourself each day and take care of your needs to keep going when days seem impossible.

Here are some ways you can practice self-care as a family:

• Take turns cooking dinner together each week so that everyone gets their fair share of the workload
•  Have someone drive one night per month (or whatever works best for your family) so that everyone has more flexibility in their schedule

Encourage your teen to get involved in activities they enjoy.

Encourage your teen to get involved in activities they enjoy.

It would help if you found a way for your teen to be part of something, whether it be sports or music, so they can feel like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. If your child is struggling with mental health issues or has trouble making friends, try to help them find something they enjoy doing and ensure that you always encourage them to participate in activities that interest them.

There are some simple things you can do to support your teen’s mental health.

There are some simple things you can do to support your teen’s mental health.

•  Be supportive of them, and let them know that they’re not alone in this process. Be there for them, no matter what!
• Talk about mental health with your teen as much as possible. It might be hard at first because it’s unfamiliar territory for both of you—but once you get the hang of it, talking about it will become easier and more natural over time. You may find that your teen will open up more than you expect! (And don’t forget: if they seem uncomfortable talking about something else besides their struggles with depression or anxiety, encourage them by saying something like “That’s great!”)
• Get outside daily and move around; physical activity has been shown to reduce stress levels throughout the body systemically (meaning that all systems are affected). This includes heart rate re-synchronization, which helps manage stress hormones such as cortisol which cause inflammation in our bodies leading us towards disease development later down the road if left untreated.

Conclusion

The teenage years are often a time of upheaval and stress, leading to mental health problems. If you’re worried about a teen in your life, there are various ways you can offer support. From pointing them towards helpful resources to simply being there for them, showing that you care can make all the difference. With the right level of support, teenagers can get through tough times and come out stronger on the other side.

Contact us today at Malaty Therapy for a free consultation.