With school back in full swing, parents may be focused on grades, homework and activities, but their teenager’s mental health deserves attention, too. Teens don’t always volunteer information about anxiety, sadness or stress, which means parents may need to create opportunities for them to talk.
One reason teens may stay quiet is that they are becoming more independent and may not want parents to solve every problem. A teenager can also worry about being judged, misunderstood or losing some of their privacy.
Clinical psychologist Leah Katz recommends that parents check in without pushing too hard. “No news might just be an indicator of a teen that is withdrawn and depressed,” she writes, emphasizing that even a small reminder that parents are available can matter.
Parents shouldn’t assume a quiet teenager is automatically doing well. A simple “How are you really doing?” can open the door to a conversation that might otherwise never happen.
Mental Health Warning Signs Parents Should Watch For
Some teenage moodiness, independence and frustration are normal parts of adolescence. But parents should pay closer attention when changes persist or interfere with a teenager’s everyday life.
Seattle Children’s recommends watching for signs such as withdrawing from friends, losing interest in activities they once enjoyed, persistent tiredness and sleeping more than usual. Searching online for content involving self-injury or suicide is another serious warning sign.
Parents should also consider changes in eating, sleep, school performance, relationships or personality. One concerning sign may not necessarily indicate a mental-health disorder, but several changes occurring together deserve a conversation with a trusted adult or healthcare professional.
Mental health concerns can become particularly important during the teen years. Seattle Children’s notes that suicide is the second-leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24, underscoring why parents should take significant warning signs seriously.
How Parents Can Build Better Mental Health Conversations
The best conversations don’t necessarily happen during a formal family meeting. UNICEF suggests using everyday moments, such as preparing dinner together, to ask about a teen’s day and create opportunities for them to share their feelings.
When teenagers do open up, parents should resist the immediate urge to lecture or fix the problem. “Listen more than you talk,” UNICEF advises, while encouraging parents to acknowledge their teen’s emotions and help them work through challenges.
Specific questions can also work better than the familiar “How was school?” Seattle Children’s recommends asking what was interesting, enjoyable or difficult about the day. Parents can also talk while driving, walking or doing another activity when eye-to-eye conversation feels uncomfortable.
Most importantly, make mental health an ongoing topic rather than something discussed only when there’s a crisis. Regular check-ins, patient listening and reassurance that your teen can ask for help can make it easier for them to speak up when they genuinely need support.
