Helping Teens with Anxiety, Depression, and Other Mental Health Struggles

Teenage mental health disorder statistics can be surprising and unsettling. For example, 20 percent of teenagers have a diagnosed mental health disorder, according to Robin Seymour, LCSW, clinical director of Newport Academy, a series of evidence-based healing centers for adolescents struggling with mental health issues. She says teens often exhibit internal mental health difficulties, like depression and anxiety, by acting out and partaking in risky behaviors. So, to help your teen through mental health struggles and to limit your teen's risky behaviors, Seymour shares five effective ways to navigate your child's mental health crisis.

Communicate with your teen regularly.

Many teens say their No. 1 issue with their parents is a lack of communication, according to Seymour. Stay present in your child’s life, ask questions without being interrogative, and, most importantly, listen to what she has to say.  When approaching these conversations, recognize your child may be struggling and acknowledge that her outlandish behaviors may be a result of a deeper struggle. Approach the situation with love and understanding and ask yourself, ‘why is my child doing this?’

Show your teen he is not alone.

Teens in general struggle a lot because they often feel as though they are the only one dealing with certain things, whether it’s anxiety or depression—or just the feeling of receiving a bad grade on an exam. And with the stigma of mental health disorders, your child may feel very alone in his fight. Reassure your teen that he is not alone by discussing struggles you may have had as a teenager.