How to Support your Child or Teen With Mental Health

Mental health challenges often surface during the teenage years, which is why it is crucial to already have an open and honest relationship with your child.

The earlier you equip your child with coping strategies and options, the easier it will be for them to navigate mental health issues through their teen and adult years.

Here are some steps you can take as a parent to support your child’s mental health.

Communicate Often and Openly

Honest communication is key to understanding what is happening inside your child’s mind. Encourage them to share what is going on in their life. Validate how they feel, even if you don’t agree with their interpretation of the situation.

If your household is busy, schedule one-on-one time with your kids. This can be something simple, like going for a walk or sharing an activity they enjoy with them. Get out and do something together; it is an excellent catalyst for sparking those deeper conversations. 

Listen to Understand, Rather Than to Fix

Active listening is challenging, but it’s crucial that you practice it to earn your child’s trust.

Be honest with yourself about what you’re equipped to handle. If you hear anything that concerns you, rather than judge or shame, enlist the help of a therapist. Mental health is challenging and multi-faceted. Being a parent means understanding you’re not equipped to handle everything. There are experts who can help. When it comes to mental health, it’s crucial that issues are identified and remedied early.  

Create an Environment with Boundaries and Structure

Even though kids and teens often push boundaries, they thrive on structure. Boundaries equal safety. Enforcing rules, rather than letting your child do whatever they want, demonstrates that you care about their safety and well-being.

This includes ensuring your kids get sufficient sleep, a crucial factor that supports their brains.

Delay giving your child a smartphone for as long as possible, and when the time comes, ensure you enforce rules and monitor usage.

Teach Children About Emotions and How to Manage Them

Some feelings feel amazing; others, not so much. However, it’s not “bad” to feel angry or sad; if your child does, teach them appropriate ways to handle those feelings.

Feelings are not facts, but they feel like they are. It’s important to teach children about the transient nature of feelings. Just because you feel sad or angry now doesn’t mean you’ll feel that way forever.

Watch for Changes in Behavior

If your child withdraws, if they seem anxious, depressed, or stop engaging in things they once enjoyed, pay attention.

Ask them about it.

While some moodiness is expected in teens, this is not the time to be in denial. Often, parents wait too long, thinking the change in behavior is just a phase their child will grow out of. The end result is that the issue establishes a firm toehold, and their child suffers.

Often, the sooner your child gets help, the easier it will be for them to integrate the skills to alleviate the issues.

Enlist Help From a Therapist if Necessary

Finding a therapist for your child or teen is one of the best ways you can support them as a parent if they’re struggling.

At the Relationship Therapy Center, we equip kids and teens with the tools necessary to work through challenges without compromising their quality of life. Through the therapeutic process, your child is able to establish a deeper relationship and understanding of self. This insight is invaluable to them and their development and can set them up for success in life.

Give us a call anytime to learn more about who we are and how we can help.

Begin Play Therapy or Child Counseling in Roseville or Fair Oaks, CA Today!

If your child is struggling one of the best things you can do is be proactive in getting your child help from a trained play therapist. With help and support you child can overcome the things that are troubling them and move forward in their life with more confidence and peace. Our counseling practice offers specialized play therapy and child counseling services by certified play therapists at both of our locations. Your child, and your family, can get to a better place. Our child therapists are here to help.

To begin counseling in Fair Oaks, CA, Roseville, CA or online, follow these steps

1. Contact the Relationship Therapy Center and schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation to learn more about in-person or online child therapy.
2. Make an appointment for your teen to meet with one of our compassionate child therapists.
3. Get the support your teen needs to navigate adolescent challenges with confidence!

Other Services Offered at The Relationship Therapy Center in California:

In addition to child therapy, Our Sacramento area counseling clinics located in Roseville and Fair Oaks, CA are pleased to offer a variety of mental health services. Our couples services include: Counseling after infidelity, sex therapy, co-parent counseling, family therapy, divorce counseling, intensive couples retreats, and premarital counseling. Individual therapy services include, therapy for children, teen therapy, depression treatment, and individual relationship counseling. Our therapists offer online counseling in California to treat a variety of mental health concerns. Please reach out to our Sacramento area therapy office to learn more about the many ways we can help you or your loved ones heal and grow.