Tips for Parents to Help a Teen Avoid Depression
Susan’s 13-year-old son Joe was rushed to the emergency department after being found unconscious in his bedroom with a cut wrist. The handsome young teenager did not tell anyone that he was battling chronic depression as a result of his obesity and short stature. Like Joe, there are many teenagers in the United States who succumb to depression, nearly 5,000 of them between the ages of 15 and 24. Unfortunately, his condition remains undiagnosed due to the stigma associated with mental disorders. Lack of knowledge about mental health problems makes parents, friends and caregivers unable to detect the symptoms and provide the necessary help to children.
The mental health of America’s youth is in a devastating state, as evidenced by the latest report published by the mental health america (MHA), a community-based nonprofit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of people living with mental illness. According to the report, the rate of depression among young people has increased in the past five years. About 50 percent of those tested, in the 11-17 age group, thought about harming and killing themselves during the week. 76 percent of young people, corresponding to 1.7 million, did not receive treatment for their severe depressive condition. Before tragedy strikes, parents and caregivers can step in and institute a strong support system.
Some of the ways that parents can help teens stay away from depression are:
- Foster effective communication: You shouldn’t wait for the right time or for teens to get older to talk to them about mental health. It is important to encourage them to talk about their lives, peer pressures, their desire to try any substance or alcohol, and their insecurities about their body or self-image. Asking them questions like how they’re doing academically and if bad grades bother them a lot, if they’re seeing someone, and who they hang out with after school will give you an idea of what’s going on in the child’s mind. The adolescent may not be very receptive at first, but will gradually open up. Parents should not judge or berate them, as this will discourage children from sharing experiences.
- Encourage social connection: Avoiding human connection and living in a shell can be detrimental to an adolescent’s mental health development. Parents should encourage teens to spend quality time with their friends, family, and neighbors, as social connections can help a person gain knowledge, shift the focus from self to others, and foster good friendships. Teenagers who are lonely are more susceptible to depression.
The teenage years are marked by hormonal changes and brain development that can affect your decision-making ability. They constantly need reassurance that they are on the right track. Volunteering and charity are other ways to make them understand that there are other people who may have more serious problems, but who have decided to live.
- Prioritizing physical health: Adolescents should be encouraged to participate in some type of sport on a regular basis. If they sit around doing nothing or adopt a sedentary lifestyle, they will gain weight, which can lead to depressive symptoms. Regular physical exercise helps relax the mind and body, and stimulates feel-good hormones. Parents should discourage their children from eating junk and processed foods and instead encourage them to focus on nutritious foods with essential vitamins and minerals. In addition, we must encourage them to spend less time with the mobile and sleep at least eight to ten hours without fail.
Seeking professional support
Helping a teen make healthy choices can be a stepping stone to preventing any mental health disorder. If a teenager is already struggling with depression, it is best to seek professional support for a timely recovery. Parents need to reassure them that with proper care, they will be fine.