Depressed Teen – How can parents help?
Five Ways Parents can help their depressed teen
Depressed teens often go unnoticed, their suffering masked by our perception of how teens are just moody. Depression left untreated can be dangerous. Teenagers are at particularly high risk for depression. Depression in teens is one of the most common mental health problems they encounter. It can be difficult to tell if a teenager is depressed, or if he or she is just struggling with common ‘growing pains.’ Parents know their teenagers better than anyone else. It’s important for parents to trust their gut when it comes to talking to, and asking teenagers about depression. Here are five ways that parents can help a depressed teen.
Parents can help their depressed teen by: Checking in with them
It’s important for parents to trust their gut and ask their teen about how they’re feeling. Just as important, when parents ask they need to be ready to listen. It can be difficult not minimize or justify how a teenager is feeling, especially when parents just want to ‘make it better.’ Also not rushing in with solutions helps teenagers know they can talk to their parents about anything and they’re not wrong or stupid for feeling a certain way. Finally, talking to your teenager about their feelings lets depressed teenagers know that their parents are there for them.
Parents can help their depressed teen by: Helping them stay active
Exercise has for a long time been related to mental health benefits. Getting depressed teenagers moving is a critical piece of helping them recover. Teenagers should get at least an hour of physical activity a day. Keeping teens active in sports, after school clubs like art or choir also keeps them socially engage which helps combat isolation. Leveraging teens’ interests in music, art, or sports can make keeping depressed teens active somewhat easier.
Parents can help their depressed teen by: Promoting good sleep
Adolescents whose parents set earlier bedtimes (like 10PM or earlier) are at significantly lower risk for depression. In one study teens who went to bed at midnight or later were 24% more likely to be depressed, and have thoughts of suicide. Parents can help teens get better sleep by enforcing bedtime, eliminating electronics, and screen-time in the bedroom, and monitoring their caffeine and sugar before bed.
Parents can help their depressed teen by: Taking care of themselves
The stress of helping your teen through their depression can be exhausting. Its important for parents to have the energy to engage their teens about how they’re feeling, helping motivate them to stay busy and active, and also be consistent about helping them keep their good sleep habits. Parents need to take care of themselves in order to help take good care of their kids.
Parents can help their depressed teen by: Knowing when to get professional help
Support and healthy lifestyle changes aren’t always enough to help depressed teens. It’s good for parents to know when to seek out professional help. Common professional intervention involves mental health counseling or psychotherapy—like cognitive behavioral therapy, and sometimes also includes medication. The discussion of reaching for professional help should involve your teen.
Jeff LaPonsie LMSW
Jeff LaPonsie is a clinical social worker at Kalamazoo Child and Family Counseling, PLLC. He provides counseling to children and families in the Kalamazoo, Portage, South West Michigan area. He is passionate about helping challenging children and frustrated parents. Jeff has over seven years of experience working with at risk youth. His clinical expertise includes working with children with behavioral, anxiety, attachment and trauma related disorders.