Your Teen’s Mental Health
As parents we all know that our children’s mental health is every bit as important as their physical well being. By supporting their mental health, we help our kids build resiliency, improve their confidence and self-esteem and help them to develop the coping skills that will carry them forward in life.
The link between mental health issues and substance use is also well known. Teens struggling with mental health issues are at higher risk of substance use. Conversely, use of certain substances, particularly marijuana, can trigger mental health issues in teen’s developing brains. Being on the outlook for signs of mental health issues in your child can help avoid or identify a substance use problem and, more importantly, can ensure that they get the help they need.
In addition to the information below, be sure to look at our Mental Health and Other Support Resources and Mental Health Resources for Teens pages
Signs your child is struggling
- Persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness
- Displaying fearful behavior
- Poor school performance
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Spending excessive time on social media and feeling sad or anxious afterward
- An obsessive preoccupation with their physical appearance such as skin, weight, and clothing choices
- Changes in appetite (overeating or not eating at all)
- Experiencing physical symptoms such as body pain, headaches, and stomachaches
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping excessively
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Displaying aggressive behavior
- Having trouble socializing in-person
How can you help your teen?
Talk, talk, talk. First and foremost, work to maintain a good relationship with your teen and be available to talk with them about the numerous stressors in their daily lives. Giving your teen love, attention and support is the best way to safeguard their mental health and to be aware of struggles when they surface. It’s also important to communicate with your child that mental health struggles are a very real part of life and that help is available.
Second, model good self-care practices. How you handle the challenges life throws your way can teach your teen how they can take good care of themselves. Maintaining important relationships, taking time for physical needs like sleeping, eating and physical activity and making time for things that you enjoy will keep you in good parenting shape and help your teen understand ways they can take care of themselves. Finally, don’t be afraid to seek outside help. There are many different ways to access help from mental health professionals to support you and your teen.
Trusted Medical or School Professionals
Your child’s pediatrician can help you to determine if behaviors that have you worried need professional help and can help you to find the right resources. Similarly, your school’s counseling department has lots of experience with teen mental health struggles and can talk with you about your concerns.
Hotlines
National mental health hotlines can be a great place to get started or a great resource in a time of crisis. These hotlines are staffed by mental health professionals and are a way to seek immediate, anonymous support.
Many hotlines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA):
(800) 662-4357. SAMHSA runs a 24-hour mental health hotline that provides education, support, and connections to treatment. It also offers an online Behavioral Health Treatment Locator to help you find suitable behavioral health treatment programs.
Mental Health America Hotline:
Text MHA to 741741. Mental Health America is a nationwide organization that provides assistance through this text line. You will be linked to someone who can guide you through a crisis or just provide information.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
1-800-273-8255. Crisis intervention and free emotional support are available, which is helpful when you need confidential assistance during a time of emotional distress for you or a loved one. The helpline is open 24/7, and a live online chat is available as well.
Crisis Text Line:
Text CONNECT to 741741. Specialized crisis counselors are just a text message away on this free, confidential 24-hour support line. To further protect your privacy, these messages do not appear on a phone bill. The text line also provides services and support if you are upset, scared, hurt, frustrated, or distressed.
The Samaritans:
1-212-673-3000. This is a New York–based organization operates a 24-hour crisis hotline for anyone in the area. Even if you’re not in crisis but feel like you need emotional support, this hotline can help.
Other reputable national hotlines open during business hours:
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI):
1-800-950-6264, info@nami.org. NAMI operates an emergency mental health hotline Monday–Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Operators can provide information about mental illness and refer callers to treatment, support groups, family support, and legal support, if needed.
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH):
(866) 615-6464. This organization has a variety of methods for you to communicate with knowledgeable people about mental health issues. In addition to the phone line, there is a live online chat option. These resources are available Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
Local Resources
The Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health is a good source for local resources. They also have a hotline staffed during business hours: (914) 995-1900 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday or via text at #914-461-7281. More information about the department can be found on their website: https://mentalhealth.westchestergov.com/
The department also maintains an online directory of resources, which includes crisis and inpatient services: https://dcmhservices.westchestergov.com/DCMHservices/
Other Support
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ youth)
National Eating Disorders Association Helpline
1-800-931-2237
NY State HOPEline (Substance Use Treatment)
1-877-8HOPENY
JED Foundation (teen mental health support and suicide prevention)
The JED website has a great interactive website where you or your teen can learn more about why they may be feeling a certain way and how to deal with a situation they may be going through: https://jedfoundation.org/mental-health-resource-center/