3 Important Mental Health Related Discussions to Have with Your Teen

1 min read

The adolescent years are a time in a person’s life that is always filled with some degree of confusion and stress. From a neurological perspective, teenagers undergo many changes and developments throughout this time. Furthermore, one’s teenage years tend to be the time in their life when they are attempting to figure out who they truly are and what they want out of their future.

So many changes and developments, in addition to the common stresses and pressures placed upon teenagers these days, can often lead to a state of being overwhelmed. In certain cases, those feelings of being overwhelmed can progress into a mental health condition.

While you are probably already aware of the positive habits that you should be instilling in your teen from a physical perspective, such as a healthy diet and exercise regimen, it is just as important to discuss the topic of mental health with them. Many teens don’t know what to do when feelings of stress, anxiety, and even depression begin to arise. As the parent, you should be the one that they turn to when such feelings arise.

For this reason, you should look to have certain conversations about mental health with your teen. Familiarizing yourself and your teen with the topic of mental health can help you all to avoid such a condition spiraling out of control if it does develop.

With that in mind, here are three of the more important conversations about mental health that you should have with your teen.

 

1. How Depression Can Develop

One of the more important conversations that you should have with your teen regarding their mental health is how depression can develop. Even though this condition can affect different people for various reasons, teenagers who drink excessively or who use recreational drugs are more susceptible.

Furthermore, teens who have experienced certain types of traumas, such as bullying, are also more likely to suffer from depression. You can learn more about depression in teens by checking out igniteteentreatment.com.

2. The Importance of a Positive Body Image

Anorexia and other eating disorders affect roughly 4% of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 18. Even though these conditions tend to be seen more in women than men, teenage boys are not immune to developing an eating disorder.

Because of this, it is important to be open with your teenager about having a positive body image. While these discussions can be difficult and challenging at times, teaching your teen to respect their body is an important factor in helping to avoid the development of an eating disorder.

3. Their Treatment of Others

Your teen might very well be in a peer group with someone who is struggling with a mental health condition. Because of this, you should talk to your teen about how they should conduct themselves socially when interacting with their peers. In addition, they should learn that their words and actions can have devastating consequences on others, even if those consequences aren’t apparent to them.