Parents know to take their children to the pediatrician for physical checkups, but your teen’s mental health is as important as physical well-being.
A child’s teenage years can seem stressful. Teenagers enter high school, where they must make new friends. Increased academic and athletic competition can make teens feel inadequate or overwhelmed.
Parents can help their teenagers navigate these difficult years. First, parents should ask their pediatrician to evaluate their teenager’s mental well-being. Pediatricians develop close relationships with their patients, so teenagers might feel more comfortable discussing sensitive subjects, like depression, stress, and sex, with their doctors instead of their parents.
Teenagers need a trusted adult to speak with, a parent, pediatrician, teacher, or counselor. Make sure that your teenager knows that stress, sadness, and anger are normal and that talking about her feelings can help her cope. Remind her of the people who can help her, and tell her that reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Second, parents should make sure that they’re not putting too much pressure on their teenagers. Too-high expectations can often become damaging, but parents should still ensure that their teenagers have strong support systems at home.
“Kids tend to live up, or down, to the expectations of their parents,” says Dr. Renee Jenkins of the American Academy of Pediatrics. “Teens who understand what standards are expected of them stand a better chance of setting realistic goals for the future.”
Third, parents should help their teenagers feel empowered to change circumstances for the better. For example, if your teenager says that she feels stressed, help her identify the source of her stress. Then, ask your teen to brainstorm about possible solutions to her situation. Discuss the pros and cons of her suggested approaches, make sure to consider future ramifications, and then decide on the best course of action.
Parents can help teens learn from their mistakes, gain better judgment and develop a stronger sense of identity. Essential tools that will help them through the rest of their lives.
If this sounds like the situation you or someone you care about is confronting, please get in touch with Good Therapy’s team of licensed professional counselors and therapists today at 630-473-3971.