How To Help A Depressed Teenager

How To Help A Depressed Teenager

Teen years can be extremely tough and depression affects teenagers far more often than many of us realize. Depression is a serious mental health problem that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest in activities. It may be a result of different social and developmental challenges, such as peer pressure, changing hormone levels, academic expectations, and puberty stage faced by teens.

Depression can affect how teenagers think, feel and behave, and cause emotional, functional I’m and physical problems including stress, anxiety, and even suicide.

• Help your teen learn thinking and coping skills. Teach your teen to relax with physical and creative activities.
• Focus on his/her strengths. Talk to and listen to your child with love and support.
• Encourage teens to share their feelings including thoughts of death or suicide. Reassure them that this is very common with depression.
• Help your teen look at problems in a different more positive way and break down problems or tasks into smaller steps so your teen can be successful.
• Follow the treatment plan. Make sure your teen attends therapy and takes any medicine as directed. Treatment works, but it may take a few weeks.
• Develop a list of people to call when feelings get worse especially when your teen is alone.

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