As a parent, teacher or mentor for teens it can be a fine balance between getting involved and giving them their space. September is Suicide Awareness Month and it is a jaw-dropping statistic that the second leading cause of death for young adults ages 15-24 is still suicide. Clearly teens still need the presence of trusted adults through the key years of becoming an adult.
Among the top reasons to check-in with a teen are if they seem to be struggling with bullying, loss of close relationships (yes, dating and friends) or if they seem to be socially isolated. While parents often worry about grades, it is the social environment that seems to impact teens resilience and growth. While the ways that teens interact with their world may be different from when you were younger, the elemental needs for support, connection and achievement haven’t changed.
Time alone and space for their own opinion is critical, but so is meeting and greeting the world in a safe space. Help your teen by supporting them in trying new things, participating for the experience, and learning to interact with others with confidence that they deserve to be in the room and participate.
Allow your teen to vent, recognize unhealthy relationships and then problem-solve their own solutions for how to find positive people in their life. If gaining space from bullies and feeling safe at school are issues, help by connecting your teen with a school counselor or another professional. Often our attempts to ‘fix’ the injustice make things worse and short-circuit the teens ability to solve their own problems.
Greatest of all is being a constant cheerleader. This means believing in their worth, strengths and ability to navigate life. Saying “Here is what I had to learn…” is a great way to offer your own experience while letting them find their own solution. If you find them coming to you for these conversations, consider yourself a success; just one trusted adult in a teens life can alter outcomes for them, not because of the advice but because they have support.
If you would like more information or would like to have further training on how to support mental health for teens, consider taking Mental Health First Aid course.
