Parents strive to ensure that their children have a healthy start in life physically, emotionally and mentally. But teen mental health issues can catch them by surprise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, poor mental health is a growing problem for adolescents.
The psychological stability of parents, caregivers and adolescents is bridged in several ways. Parents who have their own psychological dilemmas, such as managing fear or worry, or other depressive symptoms, might find it more challenging to provide care for their teen, contrasted to parents who report being stable in their mental capabilities. If a parent does not have adequate support, resources or healthy coping skills, their mental health could be directly affected. Learning techniques for dealing with these issues can greatly reduce the stress and anxiety associated with being a parent of a teen suffering with a mental health diagnosis.
If you are a parent of a teen who struggles with a mental health diagnosis, here are some tips to help you and your teen cope with those challenges:
— Educate yourself about the nature of your child’s mental health condition. Talk to his psychiatrist or to his primary care doctor, so that you can gain a full understanding of what he is facing. Ask questions. Become the expert regarding the topic.
— Consider participating in a support group such as The Youth Mental Health Project where you would relate to other parents who are facing similar concerns. Support groups can help you reduce stress and anxiety that is associated with the challenges you may be facing. Also, you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for free referrals and more information.
— Talk to your teen about their feelings regarding their mental health illness. Engaging in the therapeutic process with your child yields long-term benefits. By talking with your teen and having an open dialogue, everyone has an opportunity to identify and make any adjustments that must be made to the plan of support. Everyone involved begins to grow, and then take the necessary steps toward management of the disorder.
— Avoid reacting negatively to any bad behavior that your child has not learned to control. Communicate support and acceptance to them, and show them that they are loved by you, unconditionally. This is a time to reach out to your network for support.
— Here’s a personal tip: self-care. Self-care means taking care of you. Be kind to yourself. Getting rid of the day’s mental clutter is an excellent way to keep your mind, body and soul healthy. All you must do is take a few hours out of your day or week to enjoy something that makes you relax and unwind, such as taking a long walk, listening to music or working on a hobby. It’s also a good idea to include your teen from time-to-time, doing something that you both enjoy.
Moving into adolescence is a chance for teenagers to experience huge adjustments their lives. It is perfectly normal for them to experience emotional highs and lows as they begin to mature and discover who they are. However, according to the CDC, at least one in five kids will have a mental health diagnosis that will require psychiatric treatment. If you are a parent who is facing this, understand that is not your fault. Effective management comes from education, understanding, patience and genuine love. It could make a difference for you and your family, and it could help your teen live a healthy and meaningful life.
Hamilton is a supervised clinician with diocesan Catholic Charities Family Services in Fairfax.
Find out more
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. To learn more about mental health counseling through Catholic Charities Family Services, which serves children, teens, individuals, couples and families, and to view video tips from Charities’ counselors, go to ccda.net/need-help/medical-and-counseling/counseling.
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