Let's talk about
Mental Health
For Parents of Grades 7-12
Did you know...
The World Health Organization’s definition of health includes physical, mental, and social wellness. Adolescent mental and social health is at a crisis point. Social wellness is at risk daily from the usual relationship pressures, but our teens have the added strain of excessive social media exposure and a pandemic crisis requiring increased distancing.
One-in-five Americans has experienced some form of mental illness; therefore, early detection, awareness, and treatment are key to prevention. Research indicates that 70 - 90% of people who seek proper treatment for mental health disorders witness a significant reduction in symptoms,1 so young people need to know that there are adults who will listen and support them in a judgement-free environment.
Some teens report being afraid to talk to parents about their mental health, concerned with possibly being misunderstood or creating more burden for parents. They need to know that reaching out to loved ones is a critical and necessary part of healing. We have included links to resources for you to become more familiar with varying mental health stressors and coping techniques.
Parent Tips
Sharing
Encourage your child to share feelings and experiences.
Do Not Trivialize Feelings
Be careful not to trivialize their feelings or their problems. Avoid telling them something is “not a big deal.”
Allow Silence
Allow for silence as they carefully think to articulate the complexity of their feelings.
Spend Some Time
Spend time learning about mental health and getting help.
Use Resources
Use resources below to learn warning signs for depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
Be Careful
Be careful about using labels that can minimize a serious diagnosis or categorize “types of people.”
Sharing
Encourage your child to share feelings and experiences.
Do Not Trivialize Feelings
Be careful not to trivialize their feelings or their problems. Avoid telling them something is “not a big deal.”
Allow Silence
Allow for silence as they carefully think to articulate the complexity of their feelings.
Spend Some Time
Spend time learning about mental health and getting help.
Use Resources
Use resources below to learn warning signs for depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
Be Careful
Be careful about using labels that can minimize a serious diagnosis or categorize “types of people.”