Symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental health conditions often start to show up in young adulthood. Oftentimes they are passed down through generations in the same family, but external factors can play a big role, too. Maybe you or your parents dealt with mental health concerns in ways that weren’t exactly healthy. It takes courage to be the first person in the family to start the conversation about mental health. Many teens today are more open minded about having these conversations and seeking treatment.

Teens today are facing challenges that didn’t exist just five or 10 years ago. Fortunately, there are new resources and treatments available, too. The U.S. Surgeon General’s advisory on the teen mental health crisis includes specific recommendations for parents and families.

This article lists eight ways you can help your teen develop good mental health habits, inspired by the Surgeon General’s advisory.

How can I help my teen improve their mental health?

First of all, caring for your own mental health and seeking care when you need it is one of the most important ways you can support your teen. Children learn by your example, so maintaining a healthy self-image and strong relationships will help them do the same. Learn skills for setting boundaries and use healthy coping strategies. Do what you can to create a supportive and stable home environment and minimize your child’s access to negative influences like drugs, alcohol and means of self-harm. Talk about your own mental health openly and often.

Social media can be used in positive ways, but it has a lot of potential to influence your teen’s life in negative ways. You can help your teen use social media intentionally and establish firm rules for tech use in your household. Help them develop a strong support system “in real life” with both peers and adults. And when your teen shows warning signs of mental health conditions, make sure they get treatment from a professional.

8 ways to support teens on their mental health journey

Current events, social influences and the media all contribute to a landscape that’s full of negative messages for teens. It’s essential to establish trust with your child so you can navigate that landscape together. Remind your teen often that they can share things with you when they need help. When they come to you with problems and questions, practice responding with nonjudgment toward your child while helping them gain a balanced perspective.

You can help your teen improve their mental health in these eight ways:

• Model good mental health habits — If you have stress, anxiety and hopelessness in your own life, it’s likely to affect your child’s worldview. It’s your responsibility to take care of your own mental health and seek treatment when necessary. Learn skills for healthy relationships that you can practice as a family.
• Help your teen develop a support system — We all need a strong support network that includes several different trusting relationships. Help your child connect with adult mentors they feel comfortable talking to.
• Encourage your teen to build healthy peer relationships — Relationships with people their age help your teen feel a sense of belonging, which is critical for this age group. Check in with them about their friendships regularly and talk about what it looks like to advocate for themselves and set healthy boundaries.
• Do what you can to provide a stable home and neighborhood environment — You can’t always control what happens in your neighborhood. But try your best to keep things in your home environment consistent and predictable
• Try to minimize negative influences and behaviors — Teens are particularly vulnerable to picking up harmful coping mechanisms. Try to keep your teen’s exposure to drugs, alcohol, self-harm and lethal means to a minimum.
• Help your teen use technology intentionally — Social media and the internet are an influential part of our modern lives. Help your teen use them to maintain positive relationships and stay connected with the world in an enriching way. Set and maintain rules about using phones, tablets and screens at home.
• Talk openly about mental health, often — When teens don’t hear others talking about their mental health, the shame and stigma continue. Be transparent about what you do to stay mentally well, including reflection, deep relaxation, self-advocacy and boundary setting.
• Look out for warning signs of distress and seek help when needed — Your teen may not know how to approach certain subjects with you. Disrupted sleep patterns, changes in appetite, social withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation and risk-taking behavior can all be warning signs for teen mental health concerns. If their moods or behaviors change for the worse, offer them a chance to confide in you and help them get the care they need.

Lightfully Teen helps teens improve their mental health

Parents of today’s teens have a big job cut out for them. But setting a good example and helping your teen improve their mental health isn’t something you should do alone. We all need the support of our friends, our communities and licensed experts to achieve mental wellness. It’s not something to take for granted. We all must work proactively to create and maintain positive relationships with ourselves and others.

We developed our Lightfully Teen programs with families of young people and their communities in mind. Each one includes mental health education, family therapy and support groups to help everyone participate in meaningful ways. You can help your teen make it through this tough time, and we can help. We ensure that each child has a treatment experience that’s tailored to their personality and their needs through our Precision Care Model.

If you’ve got questions about navigating mental health care for the first time, we have answers. Contact us today or reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team to set up an initial consultation.