Create an Analogy

By creating an analogy for mental health, you can help your child better understand. Many parents choose to use analogies related to medical problems, such as asthma. By relating to a physical health problem, you can help your child understand that mental health can also be taken care of with treatment, medication, or other support.

Let them Know it’s Not Their Fault

Many children may see their mental health condition as their fault or a downfall to their personality. These feelings are often reinforced due to stigma. Help your child understand that mental health conditions are common, and that they don’t define who you are.

Listen and Validate

Children often feel ashamed or nervous to talk about their feelings of worry, fear, sadness, compulsion, and more. Create open communication by empathizing and listening with curiosity. In addition, it may be helpful to tell your child about other people with similar troubles. It can be beneficial for your child to see that others live with mental health conditions, and successfully manage them. 

Have Frequent Conversations

Symptoms of mental health conditions may fluctuate over time, but it is important to still keep open communication. By having frequent conversations about mental health, you are creating a safe space for your child to confide in you. This can help you provide the support they need and ensure they receive any necessary treatment.

Let them Ask Questions

Children will likely have many questions about their mental health. By being open to any questions they may have, you are further creating a safe space. If you do not know an answer to a question your child asks, it is okay. Let them know you will find out the answer together with the help of their health care provider.

Discuss Prevention and Self-Care

Talk to your child about how they can prevent or diminish symptoms, and also practice self-care. Teaching your child about the importance of sleep, exercise, nutrition, and more, can all be beneficial to their health.

Speak With Their Health Care Provider

Your child’s health care provider can help create a treatment plan that is right for them. As much as you can support your child as a parent, it is important to discuss any concerns you may have with their provider. 

Learn More

To learn more about talking to your child about their mental health we recommend speaking with their healthcare provider.

To read more, the following resources are suggested:

NAMI: https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Kids/Finding-Mental-Health-Care-for-Your-Child

NAMI “Little Monster” Activity Book: https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Kids/NAMI_Meet-Little-Monster_ENG.pdf

Mental Health Gov.: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/parents-caregivers

SYmptoms

After a traumatic event, many people will feel short term responses. However, if symptoms persist for longer than a month, they may lead to a diagnosis of PTSD. Symptoms may vary but commonly include:

• Arousal and Reactive Symptoms
  • Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
  • Feeling tense, on guard, or on edge
  • Easily startled
  • Engaging in reckless behavior
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Outbursts of anger
• Avoidance Symptoms 
  • Avoiding certain places, people, or things that remind one of the experience
  • Avoiding thoughts and/or feelings about the traumatic event
• Re-experiencing Symptoms
  • Recurring, distressing memories or dreams related to the event
  • Flashbacks, which may include physical symptoms
  • Distressing thoughts
• Cognitive and Mood Symptoms
  • Trouble remembering the features of the traumatic event
  • Difficulty feeling both positive and negative emotions
  • Feelings of guilt and/or blame
  • Loss of interest in activities
  • Negative thoughts about oneself or the world

Treatment

Treatment plans vary, but the most common types of treatment used for PTSD include the following: 

• Medication
  • Antidepressants are commonly used to treat PTSD. They can help provide relief from symptoms of anxiety and depression.
  • Anti-anxiety medications can help relieve serve anxiety. Many of these medications are habit forming, so they are typically only used short term.
  • Other medications may also be used to treat posttraumatic stress disorder.
• Psychotherapy
  • Psychotherapy can include one-on-one sessions or group sessions.
  • Therapy can provide a support network, education, and guidance to those struggling with PTSD.
  •  Commonly used types of psychotherapy used to treat PTSD include:
    • Cognitive therapy
    • Exposure therapy

Crisis Help

If you or a loved one is in a crisis, it is important to get help immediately. If in danger of suicide:

• Call 911
• Go to the nearest emergency room
• Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889)

RESOURCES

• To learn more about PTSD, we recommend contacting your health care provider.
• To read more about PTSD, the following resources are suggested:
  • NIMH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-ptsd
  • NAMI: https://nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Posttraumatic-Stress-Disorder

Teen Mental Health By the Numbers

• Globally, one in seven of those aged 10-19 experiences a mental disorder (WHO)
• Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15-19 year-olds (WHO)
• Among adolescents aged 12-17 years in 2018-2019 (CDC):
  • 15.1% had a major depressive episode
  • 36.7% had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness
  • 4.1% had a substance use disorder

Warning Signs in Teens

The following consists of common warning signs of mental health conditions in teenagers:

• Depression symptoms include:
  • Irritability
  • Feeling guilty or worthless
  • Loss of interest in once enjoyable activities
  • Fatigue or lack of energy
  • Feeling persistently sad, anxious, or empty

• Generalized anxiety disorder symptoms include:
  • Feeling restless or on edge
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Excessive worries
  • Struggles sleeping, whether it may be not being able to fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel well-rested
• Social anxiety disorder symptoms include:
  • Feeling very anxious at the thought of being around others
  • Fear of humiliation or embarrassment
  • Sweating or trembling around others
  • Worries about being judged
  • Isolating from others

Show Support

As we honor World Teen Mental Wellness Day, we encourage you to help show support. We can support teen’s mental health by:

• Spreading awareness so both teenagers and parents are more informed about mental health, and from there can get the help they need
• Helping end the stigma, as it is rooted from myths and can make teens feel reluctant to get the help they need
• Reminding teens that it is okay to not be okay, and that mental health struggles are common and help is available

Crisis Help

If you or a loved one is in a crisis, it is important to get help immediately. If in danger of suicide:

• Call 911
• Go to the nearest emergency room
• Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889)

Finding TREATMENT AND RESOURCES

• To learn more about teen mental health, we recommend contacting your health care provider.
• To read more, the following resources are suggested:
  • NIMH: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/teen-depression
  • NAMI: https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults/Teens
  • WHO: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health

Set Attainable Goals

Set goals that feel attainable to you. If your goals feel too big or daunting, you may be reluctant to work towards them. You will likely feel more motivated to reach your goals if they feel attainable.

Break Down Tasks

When a task or goal feels too big, it can be hard to even know where to start. By breaking down tasks into smaller goals, it can be easier to become and remain motivated.

Look to the Future

It can be hard to find motivation in the moment, but think about how what you do now will affect your future. From smaller tasks like completing a project, to larger tasks such as creating a retirement fund, the work you do today can benefit you tomorrow. Think about how your efforts today will pay off later, and you will likely find more motivation.

Remind Yourself “Why”

It is important to know your goals and why you have them. If your reasoning isn’t clear, you likely won’t have the motivation you need. Take the time to remind yourself of what you are working towards, and why you want it.

Eliminate RoadBlocks

Try to identify possible roadblocks or things that may be hindering you from feeling motivated. Once you’ve identified these problems, do you best to eliminate them if possible.

Ask for Help

The help of friends, family, or a healthcare professional can help keep you on track and feeling motivated. It is okay to need some extra help. By sharing your goals with others, you may feel a sense of accountability and also inspiration to keep moving forward.

Know Your Potential

You may not always feel like it, but you have potential to do great things. Recognize your potential and use it for motivation. Remind yourself that you can do this!

Reflect on Your Successes

Take time to reflect on your progress and success. By focusing on your wins, you will likely find the motivation you need to keep going.

Learn More

If you are continuing to struggle finding motivation, we suggest you speak with your healthcare provider to learn more.

To read more, the following resource is suggested:

Health Direct (AU): https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/motivation-how-to-get-started-and-staying-motivated