And we have the resources to help you and your family live healthier.
As your partner in health and wellness, we’re here to help you and your kids stay healthy and well—physically and emotionally—at all ages and stages. We begin by focusing on the preteen and teenage years. Keep coming back as we continue to bring you relevant and helpful family health topics.
Mood swings. Irritability. Sleeping more (or less) than usual. All pretty normal teenage stuff. But how can you tell if it’s just “growing pains” or true signs of stress, depression or a more serious behavioral health issue? Learn the signs to look out for and when it may be time to seek professional help.
Once puberty hits, your teen’s interests and priorities may shift and change, so it may be nothing to worry about. Pick a good time to talk (we find car rides work best) and ask your kid what’s up.
While irritability and sadness are normal right now, if you notice these symptoms lasting for two weeks or more, it could be a sign of depression.1 Psychological counseling has been known to help.
Social media can provide teens with peer support, but there are downsides.2 Talk to your teen about safe social media use. And be a good “scroll model” by monitoring your own habits.
Teens who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression, not to mention body image issues.3 Seek professional help if you notice troubling symptoms.
As kids become teens, some prefer having one or two close friends rather than socializing in big groups. To help yours feel ok about it, talk about your own friendships and how they’ve changed over the years.
If your teen is sad or withdrawn or has severe mood swings for more than two weeks, a licensed therapist can help identify if they’re experiencing stress or depression.
It’s typical for teens to want to spend more time alone than when they were younger. It’s also important to truly listen to your teen when he or she does want to talk to help keep the lines of communication open.
If your teen’s isolation is interfering with relationships, daily routines, work or school, it could be a sign of social anxiety or depression. A trained professional can help determine your teen’s risk.4
Your teen might be reluctant to talk about it, but if she’s ready, be sure to validate her feelings and show understanding. Remind her that this is common at this age and suggest finding a group with similar interests as her own.
If you notice signs of distress in your teen—low self-esteem, changes in eating or sleeping habits—or if the exclusion involves bullying behavior, talk to the school counselor or find a therapist who can help.
Start by discussing the values you and your family have on topics like sex and substance use. Then, discuss potential consequences and set clear boundaries. Do talk about the various consequences of risky teen behaviors with your child.
If you think your teen is in imminent danger, dial 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or call 911. If behaviors continue, seek professional help from a psychiatrist or therapist.
The preteen and teenage years are an exciting and often confusing time. (You remember puberty, right?) Here, we’ll take a look at health and wellness from a teenager’s point of view.
Raising strong, healthy and well-adjusted humans starts with focusing on your own health and well-being.
One in four teens has a mental health condition.5 To complicate matters, parents are struggling too.6 Here are some important resources that can help you both.
Signs your teen may need help
Support your teen’s mental health
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
