Resources for Parents
How can I help my child?
Mental illness, more prevalently, depression and anxiety, is very common and normal. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Depressed and anxious teens often experience significant emotional and sometimes physical pain, but may not know what to do or how to ask for help.
It’s important as a parent to…
Learn how to know when to seek professional help
How to talk to your teen about depression
How to support them through hard times.
Sometimes it’s hard to tell whether your teen is just going through normal mood swings that come with puberty, or if there is something actually wrong that is interfering with their daily lives.
Open communication is crucial because parents are usually in the best position to assist you and guide you in getting the best help possible.
If you suspect that your teen is depressed, it is important to see a doctor about your concerns. Only a doctor or mental health professional can diagnose teen depression.
Working with a mental health professional and your family doctor is the best beginning strategy for a teen suffering from depression. This treatment strategy will help your teen deal with their current problem and prevent the depression from getting worse and causing more problems in school, their social lives, and their development.
Educate yourself.
Want to learn more about anxiety?
Want to learn more about depression?
Understanding mental health in adolescents
Causes.
Depression in teens can be caused by different factors. Some of the factors that might play a part include:
Genetic predisposition to depression/anxiety/etc.
Social exclusion/Bullying
Environment
Stress/ Stressful events: like losing a loved one, or being in a car accident
Negative thoughts
Unhealthy habits: like not getting enough sleep, or not eating
Drugs and alcohol
Brain chemistry/Biochemical imbalances
Trauma/ Childhood trauma
Evaluate.
The first step in helping a teen with symptoms of depression is a thorough evaluation by a professional. This crucial step helps provide valuable information about whether your teen suffers from depression, the severity of the problem, and what treatment options are likely to be the most effective.
What’s imprint is that your child properly and professionally figures out what is going on and gets the right treatment for them.
Once having the conversation about seeking help, schedule an appointment with a psychologist or psychiatrist. If you are having trouble getting an appointment, then seeing your child's pediatrician/ primary doctor may be a good first step.
Start getting your teen help for depression by talking to their doctor. Some teens who are suffering from depression do not want to seek help. They may beg, get upset with you, or become violent when you suggest it. Even if your concerns are met with resistance, it is still important that you seek help for your teen.
How to support a loved one when their depression sets in
How to support a loved one when their anxiety sets in
Signs.
Depression looks different from person to person. Also, just because a mental illness can be invisible doesn’t mean it isn’t real. In order to get help, it is important to first recognize the signs of depression in teens:
Anger and irritability
Declining grades
Difficulty concentrating
Fatigue
Negative self-talk
Sleeping too much or not enough
Somatic/physical complaints
Talk of death or suicide
Withdrawal from friends and family
How you can help.
If your teen is diagnosed with depression or another mental illness, there are ways you can be extremely helpful and supportive. Educate yourself about depression/ that mental illness so you can have a better idea of what your teen is going through. Be available to listen and encourage your teen to talk to you about anything that might be bothering them.
Support your teen's daily routines, such as taking medications and eating healthy, encourage healthy self-help strategies, and make sure your home is a safe, comforting place.
Explain Depression/Mental Illness to Your Teen
Comparing depression to another medical illness that your child is familiar with may help them to frame depression as an illness and better understand their symptoms, the importance of treatment, and that they shouldn't feel alone or ashamed for feeling this way. Older children and adolescents are especially sensitive to feeling different or out of place. Talk with your child and encourage them to ask questions.
Talk About Treatment With Your Teen
Your teenager is more likely to want to seek treatment if they understand what it is for, know what to expect, and can have a say in it. Of course, it is not always practical to allow your child to plan their own treatment, but if you can allow them to even make a small decision (like setting up their next appointment,), it may make a big difference in allowing them to feel a little more in control.
Encourage Supportive Relationships
Depression/anxiety can cause teens to withdraw from friends and family, which can lead to feelings of sadness, loneliness, and isolation. Supportive relationships are important for people of all ages, but it may be especially important for depressed children who already feel lonely or isolated.
Having just one friend or supportive adult to talk to can provide a huge benefit to your child. Show that you are physically there for them. Encourage your child to connect or re-connect with friends and to share their feelings.
Address Myths
Older children may be familiar with the social stigma of mental illness or have heard others say derogatory things about people will mental illness. You may want to address this with your child so that they do not feel like they have to hide or be ashamed of their depression diagnosis. Stigma is a huge part of why so many teens suffer in silence. Reinstating that having a mental illness is okay is extremely important. Make your child feel loved and supported.
Remind your child that people may not understand or might be misinformed, but that there is no reason to feel embarrassed or ashamed. Teens should also know that it is their choice whether or not they want to tell people about their diagnosis, but that it is not something that they need to hide.
When to take action.
Identifying depression in teens can be difficult because it doesn’t necessarily show up in all aspects of a teen's life and can come in waves. But depression in teens is often serious and shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is a mistake to wait and hope depression will get better on its own because it usually doesn't.
Unfortunately untreated depression can lead to other serious problems, such as substance use, behavior problems, medical issues, and can potentially result in suicide. It is important to have your teen evaluated by a doctor in order to receive an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Each mental health condition has its own signs and symptoms. However, if you are noticing significant changes in behavior, mood, eating/sleeping habits, etc., then it is definitely time to seek help and figure out what is going on.
Treatments.
Identifying depression in teens can be difficult because it doesn’t necessarily show up in all aspects of a teen's life and can come in waves. But depression in teens is often serious and shouldn’t be taken lightly. It is a mistake to wait and hope depression will get better on its own because it usually doesn't.
Unfortunately untreated depression can lead to other serious problems, such as substance use, behavior problems, medical issues, and can potentially result in suicide. It is important to have your teen evaluated by a doctor in order to receive an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Each mental health condition has its own signs and symptoms. However, if you are noticing significant changes in behavior, mood, eating/sleeping habits, etc., then it is definitely time to seek help and figure out what is going on.
Let’s Talk Medication
Psychotherapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy (IPT) are two approaches that are often used to treat depression in teens. CBT focuses on addressing the relationships between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Teens learn to identify negative thought patterns and replace them with more positive, helpful ones.
IPT is focused on social relationships and communication issues that can contribute to feelings of depression. It may involve helping teens learn to interact with others in new ways and to improve the quality of their social relationships.
Lifestyle Changes
In addition to professional treatment, there are other things that you can do to improve how your teen is feeling. Changing habits is a simple way to start feeling better. Lifestyle changes such as establishing a good sleep schedule, getting regular exercise, and eating a healthy diet can be crucial!