Many parents today struggle to convince their adolescent, especially a teenager to attend counseling. In some situations when they finally attend a counseling session, they refuse to engage, shut-down or manipulate the conversation.

The frustrations have become overwhelming, especially when you have a child dealing with emotional needs.

Starting with a school counselor is a great place to begin, however it doesn’t replace a therapist if your teenager is having serious concerns or issues that continue.

Teen depression, anxiety, defiance, as well as suicide ideation is climbing in healthcare leaving parents begging for help – especially when therapy (counseling) doesn’t seem to be an option. Some young people are turning to smoking marijuana or vaping THC as a form of self-medicating, to cope with anxiety, stress or even depression. 

How to Help My Teen When They Won’t Attend Counseling

Parents should attend counseling on their own with a family therapist, one that specializes with adolescents. Having a trained specialist give you insights (tips) on working with your child can be one of the most effective ways to help your teenager through difficult times. In some cases, if your teen knows you’re going – it might spark them to want to attend to share “their side” of the story.

Stifling the Stigma of Getting Help

Peer pressure is everything to a teenager today – many adolescents still consider attending treatment as a stigma and this can be a common reason why teens are reluctant to seek help.

Other reasons teens might refuse therapy is:

• They don’t think they need it; they believe they are fine the way they are.
• They believe the therapist or counselor will make them take medicine.
• They don’t believe therapy or medicine will work.
• They may have tried it when they were younger, and didn’t like it.
• They are feeling hopeless, and simply don’t want to try.

How a Certified Life Coach Can Help Your Teen When Counseling Isn’t an Option

As parents grow more desperate to get help for their troubled teenagers, Certified Teen Life Coaches have been able to fill a void as an option for some families. The mental health crisis is not diminishing anytime soon, it’s time to learn about all resources available to us to get adolescents the treatment they need. 

Certified Teen Life Coaches are an excellent alternative if your child is refusing therapy, especially if they have an issue with the embarrassment of it (stigma), however having a Teen Life Coach, can be considered cool. 

Your teenager’s life coach can be someone that is more relatable in their world, helping them navigate screentime, peer pressure, bullying (cyberbullying), school refusal (lack of motivation), anxiety, depression and more – helping them restore their emotional health and relationships including with their parents.

Marissa Terron, founder of Families in Need of Direction – Therapeutic Life Coaching, (F.I.N.D.-TLC) and a Certified Teen Life Coach, works with many adolescents (tweens and teens) and shares that although most have refused to attend counseling sessions, some simply preferred the style of a life coach for emotional support.

“Most young people today are struggling with relational issues, social media pressure and addiction that often lead to isolation & depression. In many situations it’s causing intelligent students to fail in school, or refuse to attend classes. The stress and anxiety have become overwhelming to adolescents today and most lack the coping skills to handle their feelings of anger, rage, or sadness.”

“We provide a safe and non-judgmental environment that provides support and guidance to develop effective communication strategies, boundary-setting techniques and conflict resolution skills.” shares Marissa Terron.

Teen Life Coaching also requires the parent(s) to be involved privately or as a whole to learn new strategies that will help them continue supporting their teen as they work through their issues, set and achieve goals and move toward a brighter and productive future.

The goal of a Teen Life Coach is to help your child overcome internal or external challenges that are prohibiting the teen from success and achievement. They can also help rebuild a fractured family and gradually bring happiness back to the home again.

A Teen Life Coach isn’t always a replacement for counseling or a therapist, however this can be an option if your teenager is refusing to attend therapeutic sessions. It can be less intimidating and offer your child the emotional support they may need.

It is every parent’s dream that their teen has a clear path to success and their future. Life does throw us curve balls, so when you have tried many resources to help your troubled teen that weren’t working, a Certified Teen Life Coach might be your answer before you leap into therapeutic boarding schools. 

Also Read:

Safe Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Success Rates of Therapeutic Boarding Schools

The post How to Help a Troubled Teen That Refuses Therapy first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Yes, you read that right! Cholesterol – the waxy substance found in your blood – may be linked to your teenager’s mood swings and low self-esteem. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore the connection between cholesterol and teen depression, discuss different types of cholesterol, what causes high cholesterol in teens, and more importantly how parents can help prevent it from happening. So sit back with a cup of coffee as we delve deeper into an interesting yet vital topic!

How does cholesterol relate to teen depression?

Cholesterol is a fatty substance that travels in our bloodstream and is essential for the production of hormones, vitamin D, and digestive fluids.

However, not all cholesterol is created equal – high levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) or “bad” cholesterol can lead to an increased risk of heart disease. Recent research has shown that this type of cholesterol may also play a role in mental health.

One study found that teenagers with higher levels of LDL cholesterol were more likely to experience symptoms associated with depression such as feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness. Another study showed that teens who consumed diets high in saturated fat – which increases LDL cholesterol – had higher rates of depressive symptoms compared to those on low-fat diets.

So how does high “bad” cholesterol contribute to teen depression? Some researchers believe it could be related to inflammation caused by excess LDL. Inflammation triggers the release of chemicals called cytokines which have been linked to mood disorders like depression.

While more research is needed, these findings suggest a potential link between diet, cholesterol levels, and mental health among adolescents. To prevent cholesterol issues early on it’s important for parents and caregivers to encourage healthy habits by promoting regular exercise and balanced meals rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting saturated fats from processed foods. As a parent, it’s your responsibility to take care of your teen’s health.

The different types of cholesterol

Cholesterol, a waxy substance found in our blood, is essential for maintaining cell function and producing certain hormones. However, not all cholesterol types are created equal. In this section, we’ll delve into the different types of cholesterol and their roles in our bodies.

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) is often referred to as “bad” cholesterol. It carries cholesterol from your liver to your cells. When there’s too much LDL circulating in the bloodstream, it can accumulate on artery walls, leading to plaque buildup – a condition called atherosclerosis. This increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), known as “good” cholesterol, does the opposite of LDL – it transports excess cholesterol back to the liver for disposal or recycling. A higher HDL level helps protect against heart diseases by preventing arterial clogs.

Triglycerides are another type of fat present in blood that gets stored as energy when not immediately used by the body. While they’re not technically classified as cholesterol, high triglyceride levels may contribute to hardening arteries along with elevated LDL levels.

What causes high cholesterol in teens?

High cholesterol in teens is becoming more and more common nowadays. Several factors can cause high cholesterol in teenagers, including genetics, diet, lack of physical activity, and certain medical conditions.

Genetics plays a significant role in determining your cholesterol levels. If one or both parents have high levels of cholesterol, then their children may also inherit the same tendency towards high cholesterol levels.

Diet is another major factor that influences the level of cholesterol in the body. Eating foods that are rich in saturated fats like fatty meats, butter, cheese, and processed snacks can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol which increases the risk for heart disease.

Teens must understand the connection between cholesterol and depression. High levels of LDL cholesterol can lead to inflammation in the brain which may ultimately result in depression. Poor lifestyle choices such as an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, and smoking are all contributing factors that can raise cholesterol levels in teenagers.

Therefore, teens need to maintain healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, staying physically active, getting enough sleep each night, and avoiding smoking or alcohol consumption. Regular check-ups with their healthcare provider will help identify any potential issues early on so that appropriate interventions can be taken.

Also read:

3 Ways to Improve Your Teens Mental Health

Helping Teens Deal with Body Image

The post The Connection Between Cholesterol and Teen Depression first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Getting your teen mental health care starts with understanding mental illness. Parents will witness a change in their grades (school refusal), lack of interest in their activities or friends, irritability, sadness or moody, including several of the following signs:

• Change in sleep habits
• Feelings of guilt
• Lack of motivation
• Trouble focusing or completing a task
• Changes in appetite
• Thoughts of suicide
• Substance use

Parents are searching for help with teen issues especially through their high school years as many youth are dealing with increased stress and anxiety. This can lead to teenage mental health and wellness concerns which many parents seek guidance in finding resources.

3 Mental health care options for teens

1. Therapy.  There are many benefits to talk therapy. The hurdle can be convincing your teenager to attend sessions. Finding the right adolescent therapist can help your teen learn ways to better understand and manage their feelings, thinking and behavior.  This can take time to build a connection with someone they trust to open up with to share their thoughts.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, often referred to as CBT, is often used with adolescents. It is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on making connections between thoughts, behaviors, and feelings. Psychotherapists who use CBT help people identify and change dysfunctional patterns. CBT helps teens learn how to interpret their environment differently. Compared to other therapeutic approaches CBT is generally short-term.

2. Support groups. When you are suffering with mental illness or caring for someone that is struggling with mental health issues, having the support of others that can understand your experiences is priceless. Finding local support groups can sometimes be difficult, however with technology we are all a click away from thousands of people that are willing and able to be part of a community of healing.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has vast resources of information on both local and online support to caretakers of teens and young adults, as well as self-care for yourself. 

Support groups are not only for family members, but your troubled teen can also benefit from attending a support group. They soon learn they are not alone in their feelings of anger or low self-worth. Maybe they are being bullied or harassed at school or online and find others that are going through the same issues. Support groups can empower young people to discuss their issues and start healing.

3. Other therapies. Some teens, initially, will not agree or be open to talk therapy. There are many types of therapies people use to help treat mental health problems. These can include physical activity, such as exercise or yoga. More creative therapies include art therapy, equine and canine therapy, music therapy, horticulture therapy, culinary arts, and much more.

Teenagers can be challenging and getting help for troubled teens can be more stressful, but necessary. Being aware of teen mental health issues and learning about resources can help them get the help they need sooner.

Read: Questions to Ask Therapeutic Boarding Schools.

Read: Where to Send My Troubled Teen.

Read: When Does My Teen Need Residential Treatment?

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Have you exhausted your local resources and realize your teen or young adult still need help for their mental health? Contact us for a free consultation to learn more about therapeutic boarding schools. 

The post Teen Mental Health Care Options first appeared on Help Your Teens.

There can be many reasons for your teen to be feeling sad or depressed. While no one can explain exactly why, many experts say teens and young adults today probably face more pressures at home or school, worry about financial issues for their families, and use more alcohol and drugs.

This is in addition to keeping up with their digital life.

3 Common Reasons for Teenage Depression:

Addressing depression is crucial for your teenager’s mental health and wellness. Understanding some of the common reasons for depression can help you help your child. It does not replace getting professional help.

1. Bullying.  Never underestimate the power of words and the long-lasting effect if has on your child. Generations earlier have failed to realize the emotional damage and consequences that hurtful and harmful words have on young people — the old cliché that sticks and stones will break your bones, but words could never hurt is now history. Words hurt and can leave a trail of emotional scars for years if not addressed.

Teens that are bullied by other students at school are more likely to develop depression. Some of the common signs include appetite changes, trouble sleeping, emotional disturbances, and possibly thoughts of suicide. You may notice they start isolating themselves from friends and even family events. They lose interest in their favorite activities and possibly drop out of their sports or other extra-curriculum that they once enjoyed.

2. Social Media.  Although social media has many positive attributes, it also has been blamed for the increase of depression for all ages. Many teens are seeking gratification and approval through their social media platforms, basing their self-worth on how many “likes” or followers they garnish through their posts. Teenagers who search for acceptance on social media are more likely to succumb to those that are not always going to agree with them. Another words, they are at a higher risk of cyberbullying and online hate.

There is a vast amount of research which concurs that teens that are victims of online bullying and harassment has consistently led to higher levels of depression and anxiety.  In addition, one study found that 93% of the teens that were victimized felt sadness, hopelessness, powerlessness and loneliness. Another study explored the impact of teen social media use and found that those who used social media both more overall and at night had higher levels of depression and poorer sleep.

3. Academic Pressure. Teens are feeling stressed to perform well in school or in some situations they experience pressure to play sports or other extracurricular activities they may not be motivated to participate in.  Students feeling academic stress are over 2 times higher risk of experiencing depression compared to those that don’t feel overwhelmed with school.

As colleges have become more competitive and costly, students and parents have concerns about how they will meet the higher education demands.

In conclusion:

A mental health professional can help with teen issues and it is best to start as soon as possible. Therapy can help teens understand why they are depressed and learn how to cope with stressful situations. Depending on the situation, treatment may consist of individual, group or family counseling.

Depression is serious and, if left untreated, can worsen to the point of becoming life-threatening. If depressed teens refuse treatment, parents should seek professional advice from a therapist on how to handle this situation. It might be time to consider a therapeutic boarding school.

Read: How To Interview Therapeutic Schools.

Read: 5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools.

Read: Are Therapeutic Boarding Schools Effective?

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Are you struggling with your depressed teenager and local therapy has not worked? Contact us for a free consultation, since 2001 we have helped parents find the right residential treatment for their teen.

The post Why Is My Teen Depressed? first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Those who suffer from it may lose interest in the activities that mattered most to them in the past, experience deep and constant sadness, and find it hard to stay motivated.

Unfortunately, thousands of people of all ages struggle with this condition every day, including children and teens. The reasons for depression are plenty, being the result of undergoing a traumatic event, drug and alcohol misuse, early childhood experiences, and many others.

However, here is another fact about depression: it can be overcome. The problem with this is not knowing the necessary steps required to conquer this illness.

Therefore, parents whose teen is battling depression may find it hard to provide help. If you are one of those parents, do not worry. You will find ways to provide support to your teen during these hard times.

Finding Professional Help

No parent is expected to “cure” their teenager on their own. On the contrary, contacting medical experts is a pivotal step. After all, mental health professionals studied for decades to thoroughly understand this topic. 

The main problem is not in finding a psychologist, psychiatrist, or pediatrician, since there are lots of professionals experts in treating minors. The real issue is convincing your teen to attend a session with a mental health expert. New experiences are scary, so your teen could initially (and understandably) refuse help. 

The solution is to make them understand that going to therapy is a common experience; as common and as essential as going to school or the dentist. Consider the following: if your teen feels a pain in the teeth, you take them to the dentist. If they cannot see well, you take them to the ophthalmologist. Now, if they are emotionally or mentally hurt, why wouldn’t they consult a mental health expert? 

All in all, stay calm when talking about it. Share positive experiences of your own in case you have them, and encourage your teen to give therapy a try.  

Talking About It

There is no shame in depression. There is nothing to hide. One needs to openly support their teen by providing a space for sharing thoughts and emotions without judgment. In reality, addressing the problem prevents it from escalating and getting bigger. 

With this in mind, you can do hundreds of activities with your teen to lessen the pressure of having depression. Motivate them to write down or draw about their problems, or read them inspirational mental health quotes to help them change their perceptions of the condition. Share your own emotions regarding that problem or maybe any other issues you have experienced in the past. Let the teen know they have loving parents who will do anything to take care of them. 

Feeling Connected

Depression and isolation are strongly connected. Lack of motivation or lack of willingness to indulge in activities leads to disconnection from friends and family members. It is a must, then, to encourage your teenager to reconnect with their most important people.

Let them have sleepovers at your house with their friends. Accompany them when attending social events, parties, or any other activity. 

Also, provide help when dealing with hard tasks. For instance, if your teen finds it nearly impossible to clean their room, do not reprimand them. Simply propose cleaning the room together, little by little, or at least a certain area of the room. Once the job is done, reward the effort with a delicious meal or some candy.

Apply this to everything, from doing homework and taking out the trash, to brushing their teeth. After all, depressed people find it too hard to accomplish any of these tasks. By reconnecting with the joy they get from activities, your teen will slowly get back on track. 

We are aware that depression is not just a hard situation for teens who suffer from it. It is also difficult for those around them like their parents, friends, and family members will understandably feel confused and deeply worried. Although depression itself must be taken seriously, it is not an abnormality. It is a problem, but one that, with compassion and help, can be solved.

Read: 5 Benefits of Boarding Schools for Troubled Teens.

Read: How Cyberbullying Effects Teenage Mental Health.

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Have you exhausted your local resources, including medical experts and short-term hospital stays? Contact us to learn more about how therapeutic boarding schools can benefit teens struggling with depression through behavioral therapy and enrichment programs.

Images provided by Unsplash.com

The post How to Support Your Teen Battling Depression first appeared on Help Your Teens.

The mental health crisis with young people is extremely concerning. With over a year of remote learning, students have become more withdrawn, isolated and dependent upon their electronics.

We have seen a rise in youth depression, stress and anxiety which is causing parents to experience behaviors such as defiance, self-harm, eating disorders, hyenine issues and possibly suicide ideation.

Is your teen struggling emotionally?

Considered this best selling teen workbook:

The Depression Workbook for Teens: Tools to Improve Your Mood, Build Self-Esteem, and Stay Motivated

By Katie Hurley, LCSW

Don’t face depression alone―advanced tools for teens.

You can feel better and The Depression Workbook for Teens is going to help you do it. Drawing on the most effective and up-to-date techniques―including cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness―this depression workbook is filled with helpful exercises designed specifically for teens that will help you conquer depression. Develop the skills you need to manage your emotional well-being and bring happiness back into your life.

Get information all about depression―its symptoms, causes, and risk factors―so you can identify the differences between normal stress and depression. There is a light at the end of the tunnel―The Depression Workbook for Teens will show you the way.

The Depression Workbook for Teens includes:

• Just for teens―Tackle your depression head-on using a depression workbook filled with strategies written with your unique needs (and time constraints) in mind.
• Useful tools―With quizzes, journaling prompts, conversation starters, and more, you’ll discover simple skill-building exercises to improve your mood and build your self-esteem.
• Practical problem solving―Find ways to work through the challenges you’re facing―including fighting with your parents, getting up in the morning, struggling with homework, and more.

The Depression Workbook for Teens gives you the helping hand you need to get through this difficult time.

About Katie Hurley: Katie is a child and adolescent psychotherapist, parenting expert, and writer. Hurley is the author of No More Mean Girls and The Happy Kid Handbook. Her work can be found in The Washington Post, PBS Parents, US News and World Report, and Psychology Today.

During this time of uncertainty, The Depression Workbook has been a tremendous asset to many young people. Studies are revealing the impact COVID is having on mental health with our young people. Also check out her latest book, A Year of Positive Thinking for Teens.

Read: How Much Is Too Much Screen Time?

Read: How Cyberbullying Effects Teenage Mental Health.

Read: 5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools.

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Contact us if you have exhausted your local resources with your troubled teen that is struggling with depression. We help you make smart decisions for teen help programs, therapeutic boarding schools and other options for teens.

The post The Depression Workbook for Teens first appeared on Help Your Teens.

As many teens are becoming lost in their internet lives, addicted to social media or video gaming, they are becoming more isolated from real-life living. They are lacking in communication skills, relationships with friends, family and even becoming more isolated from things they used to love – such as their hobbies, interests, and activities.

Have you noticed your teen:

–Withdrawing from friends and family?
-Changing their eating habits?
-Addicted to their screens?
–Sleeping more (or) less?
-Anxious or seem lonely, even with others?
-Vaping, using drugs — self-medicating?
–Moody and angry outbursts?

What was true a generation ago is still true today, teens are unpredictable and still difficult to figure out. However, depression is a very real emotion.

Adolescence can be a very turbulent and difficult time, even for the most well-adjusted child. Depression strikes teenagers and adults alike and can have far-reaching implications when kids suffer from emotional difficulties that they aren’t sure how to manage.

After noticing the signs of depression in your teen and helping him/her to get the treatment he needs, understanding the root of their depression can help to make the situation more manageable for everyone involved.

While this is by no means a comprehensive list of all causes of teen depression, these ten situations can be quite common contributing factors to depression.

1. Academic Stress – (Especially if your teen is applying to colleges). Kids are under an enormous amount of pressure to succeed academically, especially as the costs of higher education rise and more families are reliant upon scholarships to help offset the expense. Stressing over classes, grades and tests can cause kids to become depressed, especially if they are expected to excel at all costs or are beginning to struggle with their course load.

2. Social Anxiety or Peer Pressure – During adolescence, teenagers are learning how to navigate the complex and unsettling world of social interaction in new and complicated ways. Popularity is important to most teens, and a lack of it can be very upsetting. The appearance of peer pressure to try illicit drugs, drinking or other experimental behavior can also be traumatic for kids that aren’t eager to give in, but are afraid of damaging their reputation through refusal.

3. Romantic Problems – When kids become teenagers and enter adolescence, romantic entanglements become a much more prominent and influential part of their lives. From breakups to unrequited affection, there are a plethora of ways in which their budding love lives can cause teens to become depressed.

4. Traumatic Events – The death of a loved one, instances of abuse or other traumatic events can have a very real impact on kids, causing them to become depressed or overly anxious. In the aftermath of a trauma, it is wise to keep an eye out for any changes in behavior or signs of depression in your teen.

5. Separating or Divorcing Parents – Divorced or separated parents might be more common for today’s teens than it was in generations past, but that doesn’t mean that the situation has no effect on their emotional well-being. The dissolution of the family unit or even the divorce of a parent and stepparent can be very upsetting for teens, often leading to depression.

6. Heredity – Some kids are genetically predisposed to suffer from depression. If a parent or close relative has issues with depression, your child may simply be suffering from a cruel trick of heredity that makes him more susceptible.

7. Family Financial Struggles – Your teenager may not be a breadwinner in your household or responsible for balancing the budget, but that does not mean that she’s unaffected by a precarious financial situation within the family. Knowing that money is tight can be a very upsetting situation for teens, especially if they’re worried about the possibility of losing their home or the standard of living, they’re accustomed to.

8. Physical or Emotional Neglect – Though they may seem like fiercely independent beings that want or need nothing from their parents, teenagers still have emotional and physical needs for attention. The lack of parental attention on either level can lead to feelings of depression.

9. Low Self-Esteem – Being a teenager is not easy on the self-esteem. From a changing body to the appearance of pimples, it can seem as if Mother Nature herself is conspiring against an adolescent to negatively affect her level of self-confidence. When the self-esteem level drops below a certain point, it is not uncommon for teens to become depressed.

10. Feelings of Helplessness – Knowing that he is going to be affected on a personal level by things he has no control over can easily throw your teen into the downward spiral of depression. Feelings of helplessness and powerlessness often go hand in hand with the struggle with depression and can make the existing condition even more severe.

It is important that you speak to a medical professional or your teen’s doctor about any concerns you have regarding his emotional well-being, especially if you suspect that he’s suffering from depression.

Depression is a very real affliction that requires treatment and is not something that should be addressed without the assistance of a doctor. You can also try the The Depression Workbook for Teens for insights and more information on mental wellness.

Read: Why Behavior Modification Helps Troubled Teens.

Read: Why Residential Treatment Works When Home Therapy Fails.

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If your teen continues to struggle with depression, do not hesitate to reach out to local help such as a counselor (therapist). If your teen refuses to get help or you find it isn’t benefiting them (your teen refuses to engage in the session), contact us to determine if residential therapy would be an option. Exhausting your local resources is always your first path.

The post 10 Common Causes Teen Depression first appeared on Help Your Teens.

It is essential to know about teenagers and check on their mental health, especially nowadays where the effect of COVID-19 pandemic is still felt. Even normal teenagers still have days to experience mood swings and gloomy days.

The importance of emotional stability is equal to that of physical health. Even a broken arm needs time to heal, which signifies that every part of our body needs it with our brain. 

We should know how to take good care of it, especially the most vital component of our bodies. Not all of us do, but every teen is critical to know the primary ways of dealing with mental health issues. Here are some tips on preventing the onset of depression:

Ask for help,  it’s a sign of strength when dealing with mental health issues.

Stepping up and admitting that you cannot handle your difficulties on your own takes a lot of courage and work. It is normal to seek assistance from others. Teenagers are sometimes hesitant and afraid to take a stand and speak up because they often think people will see them as a burden and are weak and can’t stand up for themselves.

Asking for help is a big stepping stone to recover from your mental issues, and it is never a sign of weakness. Reach out and find acceptance, and know that you are not alone. With this, you might be prescribed some medicines to help you out with your issue. Choose either  BuzzRx vs. GoodRx, both are valuable sites that offer prescription discount cards that might help you financially.

Maintaining and living a healthy lifestyle can make your mind positive and balanced. 

Things change rapidly during the adolescent years, and teens develop rapidly. They are maturing and are becoming more self-sufficient. It is their choice and responsibility to ensure their health and prioritize it. 

A sufficient amount of rest and sleep is required. Staying up too late at night can drain your energy and causes a foggy mind. It hinders you from focusing on studies and many things and makes you irritable at times. Sleeping and going to bed at a decent hour is a big help on this problem. 

A certain level of exercise is also required. Regular exercise was shown to be an effective stress reliever. Also, choosing excellent and nutritious food is an excellent method to be healthy and feel good inside and out.

Staying busy and occupied keeps you away from unnecessary and negative thoughts. Being productive and getting appropriately dressed every day is very helpful to prevent you from feeling sad and lonely. Being positive and setting goals is essential; it gives us a sense of success and accomplishment.

They are eating nutritious foods.

Most people suffering from depression find it difficult to eat. Several people tend to binge. However, whatever you eat impacts and contributes to your mood and energy levels. So, if you’re struggling with depression, make sure you’re eating correctly. 

For the most part, this entails eating a diet rich in fruits, veggies, and whole-grain products. Simple carbs and foods containing too much sugar should be avoided. Eat regularly and eat something light and healthy.

Ensure a safe and secure environment.

Establishing a secure and stable home base is essential for teenagers’ and adolescents’ positive and healthy growth. Parents should make an effort to be present to their teens, spending enough time with them together and then letting them feel and understand that they’re not alone, especially in times that they need someone to talk with.

Good and healthy communication helps parents and youngsters create trust and strengthen their bond. This includes discussing everyday issues and much more severe and significant issues such as alcoholism, drug abuse, harassment, and psychological well-being. Discuss abusive behavior with them.

Bullying is a significant contributing factor to mental health issues.

Seek purpose in life.

Since teenagers invest so much work and effort into academics, school assignments, and activities, they must have a purpose in doing and pursuing those activities instead of just making it a way to enter and pad university preparations.

According to studies, kids benefit by having a sense of meaning and purpose merely yearning for one, especially when they become more mature. According to an analysis by Kendall Bronk and colleagues, the purpose was linked to increased satisfaction in life and hope in the majority of age groups, including youth.

Proper parenting is one of the most critical keys to assessing teens in figuring out and understanding the purpose in day-to-day life. Practicing gratefulness and contentment prevents negative pressures on youngsters who are still figuring out life stages. 

Making deep and meaningful conversations with them is essential to know their opinions. Asking open-ended questions regarding their interests and listening closely to their responses so that they feel heard and appreciate the importance of speaking up.

A Final Reminder

If you’re depressed, treat yourself with kindness and love. It helps in understanding you’re not alone when you’re going through a challenging period. Allow yourself to be persistent. It requires time to recover from depressive thoughts and emotions.    

Read: Success in Therapeutic Boarding Schools.

Read: 5 Benefit of Therapeutic Boarding Schools.

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Contact us if you have exhausted your local resources of your troubled teen. We help you make smart decisions for therapeutic boarding schools.

The post Boosting Mental Health to Avoid Teenage Depression first appeared on Help Your Teens.

Teenagers today are subject to a lot of pressure as they plan for their future in these uncertain times. Saving up for college, part-time work, and the pressure to achieve can be emotionally taxing for your high schooler.

As a parent, you can guide your teen through these challenges and put their minds at ease as they prepare for adulthood. 

The Impact of Stress on Teens

In a 2018 survey, the American Psychological Association reported that teenagers experience more anxiety and depression than adults. The pandemic has made this situation much worse. Isolation caused by school closures, worry about getting sick, and related issues have put adolescents at greater risk for mental health issues.

How can you help your teenage child with anxiety? The first step is discovering if your child has a problem. Teens may not answer questions about their mental health adequately. Look for telltale signs of stress and depression such as:

• Physical symptoms including headaches, stomach aches, or exhaustion
• Loss of interest in activities or loss of appetite
• Irregular sleep habits
• Difficulty focusing or making decisions
• Withdrawal, seclusion, or apathy

Teach Your Child to Manage Stress

If your child seems to be struggling with these issues, you can employ several strategies to help them manage their stress. One of the most important is to create a peaceful environment in your home. Even the most functional families can overreact in stressful times. However, you can choose to react calmly when in times of crisis.

When you feel the urge to lose your temper because of your teen’s behavior or actions, take a step back and breathe for a few moments before engaging them. Show how to handle a difficult situation instead of telling them to calm down when they are angry.

Another key is to communicate openly and frequently with your child. Invite them to offer their opinions, input, and ideas on everything from planning family traditions to current events. Be honest with them about your feelings as well. And when you see them accomplish their goals or share their experiences, take the time to acknowledge and encourage their efforts.

Another way to reduce their stress is to help your teens take ownership of their health. Exercise, proper sleep, and nutritious food choices can reduce anxiety. When these habits improve how they feel, they will make them part of their routine. 

The next step is to help them plan for their future to reduce the pressure they experience today.

Planning for a Career Path

The goal of high school is to guide your child onto a career path, which can lead to a great deal of tension. They may suffer performance anxiety in academics or athletics, worry about college admission or tuition expenses, and stress over a high school career that will help them achieve their goals.

Choosing a career path can be confusing. Sit down with your teen to explore different options. Review their strengths and interests but keep in mind that these alone will not always help them find the best options.

If they are concerned about employment opportunities in the future, have them look at jobs or industries that are in need or are growing. For example, there is a shortage of medical doctors and other health providers in the U.S. This shortage is expected to increase over the next 20 years as older physicians retire. Pursuing a degree in medicine, nursing, or other healthcare disciplines will be valuable in times to come.

Finally, remember to tell your teen that they need not stress too much over future career paths. Their early college years have basic electives and introductory courses in their chosen profession, allowing them to get a taste of their potential career. There is enough time to change their path before advancing too far. 

Connect your teens with professionals in the field to get an idea of what the job entails. They should also talk to successful professionals who changed their major in college. 

Teens are not just worried about their careers. Financial security in today’s economy is another anxiety-inducing concern.

Planning for Financial Security

Your child may be worried about their financial future. Tuition costs are one concern. They may even be aware that many millennials struggle to buy a home thanks to outstanding college debt. Another worry they have is figuring out how to build good credit for a future mortgage.

Even if buying a home is far off for your teens, they may be considering other expenses, like traveling to Europe or buying a car. 

Help your teen reduce stress about the future by teaching them the basics of financial security. You can cover budgeting, saving, and investing topics in a more practical way than a school course. Teach your teens savvy financial habits such as these:

• Put money aside every week once they have a job or from their allowance.
• Have them set a small goal for some of their savings, such as a new phone.
• Get them to track their spending to achieve this goal. Teach them to set up an income and expenditures spreadsheet.
• If your child is very responsible, you can add them to your credit card as an authorized user to help them establish a credit history and score.

Teens have a lot of pressure on them to succeed today. You can model and teach good habits to manage that stress. In addition, helping them for a career and financial security will ensure a successful future.

Read: 5 Benefits of Therapeutic Boarding Schools.

Read: Goals of Therapeutic Boarding Schools.

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If you are struggling with your teenager that’s causing depression or sadness and have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen. Contact us today for  a free consultation.

The post How to Help Teens Cope with Stress and Uncertainies in Life first appeared on Help Your Teens.

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Sep 10, 2021–

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens and young adults, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), teens are of growing concern with rates of suicidal ideation and attempts nearly twice as high compared to pre- pandemic times.

ComPsych, the world’s largest provider of integrated behavioral health and well-being services, has seen a double-digit increase in calls related to anxiety and depression worries with their teens and a 35% spike in corporate requests for employee suicide awareness and prevention training.

“The teen mental health crisis is one of the most pressing challenges of our time and as the pandemic continues, we can see the confluence of crisis exacerbate anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide,” said Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Founder, Chairman and CEO of ComPsych. “Resources are key in helping support people and preventing tragedy.”

A recent ComPsych Tell it Now ℠ poll reveals 49% of parents are concerned about the pressure, stress and anxiety their child is experiencing and don’t know how to help. Throughout September, National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ComPsych will host interactive customer trainings and share digital suicide prevention toolkits and resources to amplify the conversation, break stigma and highlight warning signs and ways to help those who may be suffering.

Experts agree increased mental health challenges influenced by disruptions in daily life, social isolation and changes in peer interactions have had a significant impact on adolescents and young adults. According to the CDC, even before the pandemic began, the youth suicide rate in the United States was the highest in recorded history. While progress has been made in raising awareness around mental health and suicide prevention in the past few years, unfortunately, suicide is still heavily stigmatized.

“Suicide prevention does not start in the emergency room, it starts at home, and at work,” said Chaifetz. “Employers play an increasingly important role in supporting the mental health and well-being of their employees – and destigmatizing mental health is critical to addressing challenges and reversing the trend,” said Chaifetz.

Warning Signs

• Behaving in a depressed manner
• Having a peer who has committed suicide
• Threatening or talking about killing oneself or others
• Expressing no hope for the future
• Being bullied by an individual or group of peers
• Talking or behaving like no one cares or that life is hopeless
• Making final preparations, such as giving away possessions, saying goodbyes
• Abusing drugs or alcohol
• Neglecting school performance
• Being preoccupied with songs, movies or video games with violent or suicidal content

How to Help

Be sure to take action immediately if you suspect someone is suicidal. If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800.273.TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately.

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If you are struggling with your teenager that’s causing family conflict and have exhausted your local resources, learn more about how residential treatment can help your troubled teen. Contact us today for  a free consultation.

About ComPsych

ComPsych® Corporation is the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs (EAP) and is the pioneer and worldwide leader of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR, FMLA and absence management services under its GuidanceResources® brand. ComPsych provides services to more than 56,000 organizations covering more than 127 million individuals throughout the U.S. and 190 countries. By creating “Build-to-Suit” programs, ComPsych helps employers attract and retain employees, increase employee productivity and improve overall health and well-being. For more information, visit www.compsych.com and follow us @ComPsych on Twitter.

KEYWORD: ILLINOIS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEN HEALTH ENTERTAINMENT FAMILY HUMAN RESOURCES CONSUMER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MENTAL HEALTH TEENS PARENTING CHILDREN GENERAL HEALTH OTHER ENTERTAINMENT WOMEN

SOURCE: ComPsych

Copyright Business Wire 2021.

PUB: 09/10/2021 08:35 AM/DISC: 09/10/2021 08:36 AM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210910005289/en

The post Rates of Teen Suicide and Suicidal Ideation Surge first appeared on Help Your Teens.