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Tips for Parents to Help a Teen Avoid Depression

Susan’s 13-year-old son Joe was rushed to the emergency department after being found unconscious in his room with a cut on his wrist. The handsome young teenager did not tell anyone that he was battling chronic depression as a result of his obesity and short stature. Like Joe, there are many teenagers in the United States who succumb to depression, nearly 5,000 of them between the ages of 15 and 24. Unfortunately, her condition remains undiagnosed due to the stigma associated with mental disorders. Lack of knowledge about mental problems makes parents, friends and caregivers unable to detect symptoms and provide necessary help to children.

The mental health of America’s youth is in a devastating state, as evidenced by the latest report released by the Mental Health America (MHA), a community-based non-profit organization dedicated to addressing the needs of people living with mental illness. According to the report, the rate of depression among young people has increased in the last five years. About 50 percent of those surveyed, among the 11 to 17-year-old age group, thought about self-harm and suicide during the week. About 76 percent of the young people, corresponding to 1.7 million, did not receive treatment for their severe depressive condition. Before tragedy strikes, parents and caregivers can step in and institute a strong support system.

Some of the ways parents can help teens stay away from depression include:

  1. Promoting effective communication: You shouldn’t wait for the right time or for teens to grow up to have a conversation with them about mental health. It is important to encourage them to talk about their lives, peer pressure, their urge to try any substance or alcohol, and their insecurities about their body or self-image. Asking them questions like how they are doing academically and if the bad grades bother them a lot, if they are dating and who they hang out with after school will give them an idea of ​​what is going on in the child’s mind. The adolescent may not be very receptive at first, but gradually he will open up. Parents should not judge or reprimand them, as this will discourage children from sharing experiences.
  2. Encourage social connection: Avoiding human connection and living in a shell can be detrimental to an adolescent’s mental health development. Parents should encourage teens to spend quality time with friends, family, and neighbors, as social connections can help a person gain knowledge, shift focus from self to others, and foster good friendships. Lonely teens are more susceptible to depression.

Adolescence is marked by hormonal changes and brain development that can affect your ability to make decisions. They constantly need to be reassured that they are on the right track. Volunteering and charity are other ways to help them understand that there are other people who may have more serious problems, but have decided to live.

  1. Prioritize physical health: Teenagers should be encouraged to participate in some form of sport on a regular basis. If you feel inactive or adopt a sedentary lifestyle, you will gain weight, which can lead to depressive symptoms. Regular physical exercise helps to relax the mind and body and stimulates the hormones of well-being. Parents should discourage their children from eating processed and junk food and should instead encourage them to focus on nutritious foods with essential minerals and vitamins. In addition, they should be encouraged to spend less time on their mobile phones and to get at least eight to ten hours of sleep without fail.

Seeking professional support

Helping a teenager make healthy choices can be a stepping stone to preventing any mental health disorder. If a teenager is already battling depression, it is best to seek professional support for a timely recovery. Parents must assure them that with proper care, they will be fine.

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