How parents can play a key role in the prevention and treatment of teen mental health problems

(THE COMMENTATION) A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found that 44% of teens felt persistent sadness and hopelessness in 2021. A survey conducted online in early 2022 revealed that nearly 20% had considered suicide and 9% attempted to commit suicide.

These startling numbers are likely to be due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, rates of teenage mental illness have been increasing over the past decade.

The role of parents is an important factor in supporting teens with mental health.

This is surprising, since research has clearly established that participation by a caregiver in their child’s mental health treatment is directly related to a successful outcome. The key reason is that teens can learn coping skills from their parents, who interact with them on a daily base.

Yet, for mental health professionals, it can be challenging to integrate parents into teens’ treatment when there are discrepancies between the perspectives, goals and expectations of teens and parents. There are also
consent and privacy laws sometimes limit providers’ abilities to disclose key details about a teen’s mental health to parents.

We see parents and caregivers in our research on childhood trauma and adolescent developmental as crucial links to addressing the crisis of mental health among teenagers.

Teenage years can be difficult

Many parents fear the teenage years. Teenagers can experience mood swings, high-risk behaviors, and endless arguments. A lot of this is developmentally normal. Teens are creating their identities, testing boundaries and asserting their independence. These factors may lead to hostility or a less-favorable parent-teen relationship.

Teenagers have a poor sleep quality because they are too early to school and due to the hormonal changes that occur during puberty. Teens can become irritable and hypersensitive to stressors. They also haven’t developed the self-control to manage their reactions.

And it’s important to note that half of all mental illness emerges by age 14 and 75% by age 24, making adolescence a highly sensitive period for the prevention and treatment of mental health problems.

Signs and symptoms that indicate a mental health concern

Teen mental health issues can take unexpected forms. Depression and anxiety may manifest as irritability or non-compliance. Parents might view this as disrespectfulness and laziness. It is difficult to see the truth behind these behaviors. Teens are often very private and might not be open about their struggles.

Adolescence can be plagued by traumatizing events like bullying, sexual harassment, assault, and dating violence. These experiences can lead to drastic changes in behavior and affect.

While anxiety can be a normal emotion response at any age it is also a common one. About a third (33%) of adolescents suffer from some kind of anxiety disorder. 10% of them experience severe impairment. Teens with chronic anxiety can experience agitation, irritability and sleep problems. They may also have perfectionist tendencies or try to avoid stressful situations altogether.

17% of teens suffer from depression. Depression can be described as a loss or lack of enjoyment in daily activities. But it’s more than just feeling blue. Depression symptoms for teens may include withdrawing from social or family activities, closing down during conflicts or conversations, lethargy and difficulty concentrating.

Self-harm and suicide can also be linked to depression.

In determining whether a teen is experiencing a mental illness, parents should consider how behaviors are affecting their teens’ everyday lives and plans for the future. Those who are falling behind in school, damaging important relationships or engaging in high-risk behaviors may be most likely to be experiencing a mental health issue – as opposed to typical teenage challenges.

There is a shortage of mental health services

Despite the rising demand for mental health care, the U.S. still has a severe shortage of professionals to fill the gap. Insurance companies make it difficult to access mental health care. They limit the number of providers in their network and approve sessions. This means that providers tend to prioritize patients who are willing to pay out of pocket.

Teens and parents may have to wait for months before they are able to see a doctor. The quality and effectiveness of services provided can also vary. All the while, symptoms may worsen, straining the family and compromising teens’ social and academic opportunities.

Parents can play a powerful role

This is where parents come in, since they can serve as role models for teens’ coping and emotional development.

Although quality sleep, regular exercise, and good nutrition can be the best tools for managing mental health issues, there are many behavioral strategies that can help parents parent struggling teens. Foster parents often care for children with complicated trauma histories. Many of the behavioral strategies that were taught to foster parents can be used in traditional family situations as well.

Parents can take it personally when teens behave badly or are disrespectful. Parents who are aware and capable of managing their triggers may be able react calmly to problematic behavior. This will allow for better communication with their teenager.

It is important to build and maintain a parent-teen relationship, whether it be by watching TV together or other low-pressure activities. These opportunities provide teens with safe spaces and the opportunity to talk about difficult emotions. Teens who have parents who help them recognize, talk about, and deal with difficult feelings and thoughts can understand how they can impact their behavior.

Positive emotions can also be managed by parents. This is done by encouraging self-esteem, strengths, and self-efficacy. Parents who offer praise to their teens who are working hard to overcome challenges – as opposed to focusing solely on the outcome – can help teens see their worth beyond their accomplishments.

However, teens need to have boundaries that enable them to develop self-reliance, be independent and accept compromise in certain situations. Behavior contracts – in which teens and their parents agree to certain conditions in writing – can provide a structured way to establish shared expectations.

Teens can learn from their parents if they are not subject to parental supervision. A coach may suspend a player who stays up late before a big softball match. Parents can help teens connect their frustrations and disappointments to their decisions regarding sleep. This is more beneficial than getting into an argument or receiving a punishment from a parent, such as having their phone privileges removed.

If natural consequences are not an option for your child, you should set a time limit and focus on a specific outcome. For example, don’t allow them to do their homework until they have completed their chores.

It is also important that parents avoid power struggles with their teens by modeling respectful communication without trying to manage the teen’s reaction or perspective. Teens are unlikely to admit to being wrong – particularly in a heated moment – and if the point is made, there is rarely a benefit to insisting upon a particular reaction such as a forced apology.

Your teens can be supported best by your parents. This includes maintaining a connection and enforcing structure. Although challenging behavior is a normal part of teenage life, parents need to be alert for signs that may indicate a more serious mental illness. Early treatment and detection are crucial.

This article was originally published by The Conversation and is licensed under Creative Commons. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/how-parents-can-play-a-key-role-in-the-prevention-and-treatment-of-teen-mental-health-problems-192927.