Everyone feels misunderstood from time to time. A certain degree of puberty-related moodiness is part of the typical adolescent journey, but how do you know when typical teen angst is turning into something more serious? It’s easy to blame mental health issues on raging hormones, but school stress, peer pressure and societal factors often come into play as well.
The statistics are startling. According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention summary, 42% of students reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless, and 1 in 5 had seriously considered suicide. LGBTQ+, female and Black students seem to be affected at higher rates than other groups. The good news is that solid prevention strategies, strong relationships and professional assistance can provide the support your teen needs to thrive mentally and emotionally.
Indications to watch for
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If your normally happy, fun-loving teenager suddenly turns sullen and grumpy, you might want to just monitor their mood for a few days. Angry outbursts and excessive crying are obvious indications that something is wrong. Nasty attitudes that don’t seem to resolve in a reasonable amount of time may merit further investigation or a call to the doctor.
A lack of interest in previously enjoyable activities, withdrawal from friends and family, neglect of personal hygiene, changes in sleep patterns and unexplained weight loss are all possible signs of depression. Also, keep an eye on your teen’s grades and schoolwork for sharp declines.
Take any suicidal ideation seriously. Drastic personality changes, self-harming behaviors, obsession with death, giving away possessions, and drug or alcohol use are all dangerous warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
Here’s how to help
For starters, try to maintain open lines of communication with your teenager as much as possible. Check in regularly and ask them how they’re doing and feeling. Give young adults a chance to talk on their own terms without judgment and ask them if they’d like your help with problem-solving before immediately offering advice. Sometimes an opportunity to express their feelings in a safe space and vent about whatever’s bothering them is enough to relieve the pressure. In this case, empathy goes a long way. Wrap up the conversation by letting them know they matter and that you love them.
Encourage healthy habits such as regular exercise, good nutrition, fulfilling hobbies and smart self-care practices. Work together to find effective coping strategies to employ when times get tough. And try to limit screen time; too much social media can negatively impact anyone’s mental health, especially impressionable teenage minds.
Enlist the help of a trusted objective adult like a school counselor, clergy member, family doctor or therapist if needed. Some teens may find it easier to open up to a support group of like-minded peers than to an older adult. Help is available if you seek it out.
If your teen is experiencing a mental health crisis, go to the nearest stress center or emergency room, or call 988 or the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 800.273.TALK to reach trained counselors who can guide you to local resources.
