School can present unique challenges when it comes to teen mental health. It can also be a site of support and growth. As a parent, you can see how their school experiences affect them at home and have good conversations about how they’re feeling. Your insight and advocacy are crucial, especially when teens are struggling. You can help connect the dots between care providers, teachers, and other school staff.
Teens need an increasing amount of autonomy and privacy as they get older. Understanding your teen’s strengths can help you decide how to approach different situations and support them in areas of need. Navigating the school system to find support is one place where you can be especially helpful.
In this article, we’ll share six ways you can advocate for your teen’s mental health this school year.
6 ways to advocate for your teen’s mental health this school year
Mental health disorders can significantly impact academic performance as well as overall quality of life. Good mental health isn’t a default state or something that happens without planning. Each person needs to maintain their mental health proactively with both self-care and supportive relationships. Those with treatable conditions also need treatment from licensed clinicians. As a parent, you play a significant role in helping your teen care for their mental health.
The following are six ways you can advocate for your teen’s mental health this school year:
Understand your teen’s rights and school policies
Helping your teen thrive at school means making sure their needs are being met while respecting their dignity and privacy. Their licensed clinician, teachers, and school staff can be helpful allies. It may be as simple as creating self-care routines and check-ins. If your teen has other needs for learning or accessibility, you may need to work with their school to create a Section 504 plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Build relationships with school staff before problems arise
Connecting with school staff and opening up a collaborative relationship early on can help you avoid problems down the road. Reach out and introduce yourself to counselors, teachers, and administrators, and share relevant insight into your teen’s mental health. Let them know about your teen’s specific needs and ask about the best way to stay in contact. If your teen is working with a specialist, you may need to sign a release of information so they can communicate with their school and other care providers.
Document everything related to your teen’s mental health needs
Though it may seem tedious, keeping records of your teen’s mental health symptoms and communications with school staff may save you a lot of difficulty. If you ever need to seek further assistance or take other action on behalf of your child, documentation will be critical. Keep copies of all paperwork and communications, especially accommodations and incidents.
Communicate openly but strategically
The most basic goal is to share information that helps staff understand your teen. There may be times when your teen should be present to speak for themselves, so be mindful of their point of view. Also, be sure to use “person-first” language when discussing mental health. For instance, instead of saying “my daughter is bipolar,” say “my daughter has bipolar disorder.”
Push for appropriate accommodations when needed
It can be hard to know what kinds of accommodations to ask for without talking with a specialist or the appropriate school staff person. Try to understand the challenges your teen faces at school. Then ask about accommodations that may help. Always look for evidence-based supports and follow up to ensure plans are being implemented.
Teach your teen to self-advocate
As your child becomes more independent, this is an important time to help them learn to advocate for themself. Help them understand their own mental health needs and practice conversations they might have with teachers. Encourage them to speak up when accommodations aren’t working.
Set up your teen for a fun and successful school year
Advocacy is about empowering your teen for long-term success and making them feel supported. Knowing that you have their back makes a huge difference in itself. Coordinating between school supports and outside treatment providers can be challenging for any parent. Looking at it as building supportive relationships can help you achieve the best results.
At Lightfully Teen, our licensed clinicians offer personalized primary mental health care. We help teens build mental wellness by focusing on four core life processes: thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. We focus on building strong support systems and resilience while working through mental health challenges.
Are you concerned about a teen who’s struggling with their mental health at school? We can help. Contact us or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team today.
