Identifying Warning Signs of Teen Mental Health Issues
By Melody Wright, LMFT
In our first blog of the new monthly blog series, Supporting Our Youth and Their Mental Health, we discussed general information regarding our youth, the challenges they face today, and reviewed resources and tips to help support your teen’s current or future mental health needs. In today’s blog, we will take a more in-depth look at the potential signs that a teen displays when they are struggling with their Mental Health. We will also include some of the signs or red flags that would require an immediate response from a parent or caregiver.
Warning Signs
A warning sign can be defined as a sign that indicates a condition requiring special attention. With that in mind, we have listed some behaviors below that your teen may display if they are experiencing challenges with their Mental Health:
Sadness that is persistent and lasts for 2 weeks or more
Wanting to avoid social events or interactions
Ongoing somatic symptoms (headaches, stomach aches, etc.)
Behavior that drastically changes within a short time frame
Changes in daily patterns (sleeping, eating, school performance, etc.)
Poor attendance in school
Participating in self-harming or destructive behaviors
Warning signs help us recognize when our teens are using behaviors to communicate that something is wrong, even if they are not verbally expressing that they are not okay. If your teen is displaying any of the behaviors listed above, we strongly recommend that you schedule an urgent visit with their Primary Care or Mental Health Provider.
Red Flags (Immediate Action Required)
While some of the warning signs above prompt you to book an urgent appointment with a counselor or Pediatrician, the signs we will be discussing below require your immediate attention and action. These are potential warning signs that a teen may display when they are contemplating suicide:
Making statements or writing about suicide
Completely withdrawing from social settings or contact with others
Giving away belongings to friends or family
Increased use of substances such as alcohol or drugs
Showing repeated signs that they feel trapped or hopeless about a certain situation or their life in general
We recognize that it is not an easy task to have a conversation about Mental Health or suicide with your teen. It can be just as difficult for a teen to start the conversation with their parent or caregiver when they are having challenges with their mental health. When in doubt, don’t wait for your child to come to you. Having an open and honest conversation with them, and asking about suicide specifically, can create the opportunity to connect your teen with a professional at the right time. For teens or any individual in crisis and considering suicide, immediate support can be provided by calling the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255.
For ongoing support for your teen, a therapist can provide the consistent level of support they need for them to reach a better place in their mental health. To book a consultation and receive more information about our services, click here.
