During the tumultuous experience of adolescence, when growth and development interweave with uncertainty, positive mental health becomes the key to leading a happy and robust life. We often advocate for awareness regarding mental health in general, but the point at issue becomes even more severe when we talk about mental health in adolescence.
The WHO defines an adolescent as anyone who falls in the range between 10 and 19 years of age. It is the period following the onset of puberty, during which a person transitions from childhood to adulthood. This transition can be an extremely challenging time wherein the person encounters the confluence of numerous physical, emotional, and social changes.
Common Mental Health Issues Among Teens
World Health Organization statistics point out that depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders are among the leading causes of illness and disability among adolescents, with suicide being the fourth leading cause of death among 15-29 year-olds. Some factors that make adults more vulnerable to these issues are identity exploration, media influences, and peer pressure. According to the psychosocial theory of development, adolescence is known as the stage of identity versus role confusion. This means that as teenagers seek to form a personal identity by exploring various values and ideas, they might either emerge as confident individuals who are true to themselves or have confusion about their roles in the world.
Some leading mental health issues in adolescents are-
- Anxiety and mood-related disorders.
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Body dysmorphia
- Self-harm
- Substance use disorders
- Behavioral disorders and risk-taking behaviors
You should look for early signs of these mental health disorders, like changes in sleeping and eating patterns, changes in energy and activity levels, low motivation, and frequent negative talk. The signs vary in great length depending on the specific type of issue. Phases of moodiness or disinterest are common in teenagers. If some new symptoms develop or most of these persist, it might be best to consult a professional for diagnosis and treatment. Most importantly, addressing these issues in a supportive manner can help you bond with your kid. Let them know you are on their team, and it’s you two versus the issue.
Ways To Build Trust And Open Communication With Your Teen
An essential prerequisite of building a healthy relationship with your teen is to have open and trusting conversations with them. Trust in child-parent relationships is very important for both. You need to trust your child’s capabilities and intentions and be fully accepting of them. On the other hand, your child will only tell you stuff and be able to rely on you if they can trust you. An example of a trusting parent-child relationship is when your child runs to you for help in times of distress instead of being afraid of you getting to know about their problems.
Here are some of the ways you can encourage healthy conversations with them:
- Listen To Understand, Not To Respond: being an active listener is very important with kids. It involves being non-judgemental and caring. Let your child complete before jumping to conclusions, and more importantly, try to understand why they feel the way they do before offering solutions. Listen patiently and use nonverbal cues like nodding to make them feel understood and valued.
- Be Empathetic: empathy plays a very vital role in building meaningful relationships with teens. Try putting yourself in their shoes and understanding their unique experiences, thoughts, and emotions from their perspective. Teenagers pick up emotions better than you might give them credit for, so remember to be genuinely empathetic in providing them with a safe space to talk about their emotions.
- Show Interest: instead of presenting to them as a concerned caregiver, they might be more open to conversing with you candidly if you are willing to share their interests. Keep up with their likes and dislikes. Be it going to a movie together or listening to their favorite music, it might help you two get closer and share more positive experiences.
- Respect Their Privacy: getting to know your kids is important, but the process should not involve invading their privacy. This might do more harm than good and create a sense of mistrust in your relationship, which can be hard to move on from.
- Guide, Don’t Dictate: instead of laying down strict rules for them to follow, explain to them the reasons for your concerns. One of the major mistakes a parent might make is not telling the reason for a certain rule. The teen might perceive this as unfair and try to push boundaries behind your back. Instead of dictating what is right for them to do, constructively explain your reasons.
- Appreciate: acknowledge the smallest steps your child takes in the positive direction. Your words of praise might do wonders for their self-esteem and help reinforce their positive behaviors. Recognizing their strengths and approving their actions will make them more confident and promote their emotional well-being and motivation to thrive.
- Accept And Affirm: reassure your kids that you accept and support them even in difficult times. You can do this by simply telling them, “I know things are stressful right now, but I still love you the same.” or “I’m glad you shared that with me; we will figure it out together.” It is important for kids to feel validated, especially during hardships. Remember to constantly affirm them by showing support and telling them you believe in them.
- Do Not Force: as much as you want your kids to trust and be open with you, you have to wait for them to be ready. Forcing a conversation they are prepared for can further the communication gap and lead to misunderstandings. It can be a frustrating journey; at times, when you put in the effort, they might still not be ready to talk – remember to be patient and understanding.
It’s a tough road for both you and your teen. But, with your support and guidance, they can navigate through these challenges and emerge as a confident and resilient young adult ready to take flight into excellence.
