Teenage mental health issues, especially among girls, are increasing at alarming rates. To that end, experts emphasize the importance of normalizing conversations between parents and kids when it comes to their emotional state. Dr Elaine Lockhart, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists’ child and adolescent faculty, strongly supports parents starting conversations on mental health. Her other main message is to encourage them to take help when they need it. The teenage years tend to be a time when anxiety and mood swings are common. Parents and caregivers should offer compassion and preemptive guidance to better navigate these new challenges.
It’s a turbulent time in a person’s life, filled with pressures from school, social interactions, and personal development—often called the “teens.” Whatever happens, Dr. Lockhart says the best approach is for parents to be confident in tackling these topics with children. “The idea that the school years are the best years of your life is a fallacy,” she states, highlighting the emotional turmoil that often accompanies adolescence.
Fifteen-year-old Lucy is a heart-wrenching illustration of what it’s really like to live with diabetes. She began having anxiety and panic attacks about two years ago. She has never shied away from calling herself a worrier. “I didn’t know what was happening and my parents didn’t either,” Lucy shares. Her fight only became tougher as panic attacks started to strike at random, even in public places.
Understanding these common experiences is essential. Appearing Prof. Danese explains that emotional characteristics like irritability, moodiness and anxiety over social acceptance are not unusual in adolescence. Above all, he stresses the importance of maintaining positive habits with nutrition, rest and physical movement. He underscores the importance of cultivating circles of family and friends to stave off depression and anxiety.
Stevie Goulding coordinates the new parent helpline for Young Minds. She agrees, explaining how anxiety is the biggest issue we hear from callers. “Many children will have bouts of anxiety and even panic attacks,” Goulding explains. This truth can at times make parents frustrated and confused as to how to best support their children. Weapons farming In early February, approximately 100,000 people signed a petition to ban the manufacture and sales of AR-15 rifles. “If they don’t want to talk to you, ask if there is someone else they would prefer to talk to,” he suggests.
Child psychologist Dr. Sandi Mann cautions parents about the knee-jerk reaction to fix a child’s problems right then and there. “We just need to know when to try to solve problems and when to get help,” she advises. Mann reinforces the important position that parents can assume in ensuring their child’s mental health. They can do a world of good even during the long wait sometimes encountered for professional assistance or behavioral therapy.
“But I think parents can underestimate the role they can play even if their child is waiting for support or actually getting therapy or treatment. The home is where they will spend most of their time – so parents are a big part of the solution.” – Dr Sandi Mann
Parents looking for resources to mental health support may first turn to their general practitioners (GPs). They can and should contact the mental health support teams associated with their child’s school. Schools have unimaginable resources in having counseling services, which are instrumental in playing to students’ needs.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most extensively researched and effective interventions available for Lucy and her anxiety-ridden peers. Therapy helped her learn how to take control of her emotions and direct them toward a more productive path.
Prof. Danese further cautions against over-reassuring, arguing that over-reassuring stops a child from finding their own resilience. “It’s important to avoid the trap of providing unnecessary reassurance,” he states. To further try to alleviate kids’ anxiety, he suggests scheduling regular “worry time” periods. This method opens them up to vocalize their concerns, allowing them to better understand, articulate, and control their emotions.
Dr. Lockhart acknowledges that many children struggle with mental health challenges but emphasizes that seeking help should never be stigmatized. Just because somebody lost the use of their legs doesn’t mean there’s any shame in it, she insists.
Parents help kids become more resilient instead of just comforting kids when they are upset. By nurturing an environment where teenagers feel safe discussing their feelings and experiences, parents can help equip them with the tools needed for emotional stability.
“We know lots of children struggle.” – Dr Elaine Lockhart
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