By: Stan Popovich
Do you worry about how your son or daughter can handle today’s mental health issues such as bullying, peer pressure, depression, and addiction?
It can be challenging for your child to deal with various mental health situations and not know where to turn for assistance.
As a result, here are seven suggestions a parent should follow in helping their children overcome the pressures of being a teenager.
1. Talk to your teenager on a regular basis: One of the most important things a parent can do is to talk to their children about the current issues that they may be dealing with. Do not bombard your son or daughter with endless questions and do not get argumentative. Establish some kind of dialogue between you and your children so they will be willing to talk with you.
2. Education is key: Both parents should be familiar on the issues of bullying, suicide, addiction, and other mental health issues. Every teenager should be aware of the resources that are out there to help them, and they should be aware of where to go for help.
3. Watch out for any red flags and do not assume anything: If you notice any changes in your teenager’s moods or behaviors, do something about it by discussing these changes with your son or daughter. If things get serious, then talk to a counselor for some advice. Do not assume that your teenager is going through some kind of phase or that they will snap out of it.
4. Encourage your children to talk to you: Many teenagers are reluctant to talk to their parents because they are afraid their parents will get angry and take it out on them. Some teenagers may think their parents won’t be able to understand their situation. With this in mind, try to establish a sense of trust with your teenager and encourage them to come to you when they are struggling.
5. Get advice from other parents: If you have trouble getting your teenager to open up to you, try talking to other parents to see how they talk to their sons and daughters. You may get some helpful insights on how you can successfully engage your children.
6. See things from your children’s perspective: Many parents engage their children from their own point of view. Another helpful suggestion is to try to see things from your teenager’s perspective when dealing with their problems. Once you see things from your teenager’s point of view, you will be better able to get your teenager to open up to you.
7. Remind your child that he or she can’t do it alone: Your child’s fears, anxieties, and other mental health issues can be difficult to manage and more than likely he or she will need some help. Many people think that they can overcome their mental health problems on their own. This is a mistake. As a parent, it is important that you encourage your children that going it alone regarding their mental health issues is not a good idea.
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