How to Help a Teen With Mental Health Needs

Psychological health encompasses your mental, social, emotional, and spiritual health. For example, how you think, your ability to handle interactions with others, your feelings, and your sense of purpose—your spiritual health—all affect your psychological well-being.

Many people struggle with mental health issues, including teenagers. Approximately 22 percent of teenagers have a severe mental health issue, while almost half of all teenagers have some mental health issues. Whether your teen has a chronic mental health illness, such as bipolar disorder, or they're struggling with depression, there are practical steps you can take to help your teen cope with their mental health challenges.

Turn to credible professionals for your teen's mental health needs.

Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, is a popular option for anyone struggling with mental health issues. Discussing issues and concerns can help people process their challenges and develop coping strategies. Talking about problems can also alleviate stress. You may opt to have your teen see a psychiatrist, who can provide a formal diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Your teen could benefit from attending a residential treatment program. Residential treatment programs offer a way to remove your teen from harmful influences or environmental triggers that could compromise their health. Residential programs incorporate multiple treatment strategies, including group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, and experiential therapy. With experiential therapy, teens use creative arts, recreational activities, or physical activities to promote their mental health. Experiential therapy options include yoga, surfing, writing, drama, and gardening. In addition to treating psychological disorders and behavioral disorders, the treatment team at a residential facility will also support teens with other issues, including gender dysphoria, grief, and substance use disorder.

Support your teen's social health.

Social health can have a significant impact on your teen. Most teens long to feel accepted. They're discovering who they are and want their identity validated. Unfortunately, teens can also be susceptible to negative influences, and if bullies target a teen, they may struggle with depression or suicidal thoughts.

Encourage healthy relationships with peers who support your teen's interests. For example, you could opt to send your teen to a different school to give them distance from bullies or help them connect with other teens who share their passions. For example, some high schools are arts and technology high schools. You could support your teen's interest in singing or painting, and help them connect with other young adults who share those interests simultaneously. You can affirm your teen's identity and promote their self-esteem by supporting positive hobbies and interests.

Promote emotional health at home.

Your teen's healthy living starts at home. Creating a comfortable space where your teen feels secure is crucial. A dark bedroom could reinforce negative feelings, but you could transform their space by enlarging windows, adding lights, and painting walls. Environmental toxins can trigger depression. Adding an air purifier to your home and replacing the filters on your HVAC system ensures your teen isn't breathing in mold spores that can cause depression and other mental health problems, such as confusion or memory loss.

Look for ways to support your teen's spiritual health.

Spiritual health refers to a sense of purpose. When teens don't have a sense of purpose, they may struggle with depression or suicidal thoughts. Promote their self-esteem by instilling them with a sense of purpose. For example, you could encourage spiritual health by getting your teen a pet they care for or promoting a hobby, such as gardening.

If you're religious, you could also invest in offering supplies, such as day offering envelopes, and encourage your teen to give offerings to your church. Your teen could also contribute with their musical talents and join the church worship team.

There are several ways to support a teen with psychological health issues. First, turn to experts who diagnose psychiatric disorders and develop suitable treatment plans. Second, consider sending your teen to a residential facility where a qualified treatment team will provide the support they need. Promoting social health, creating a safe environment at home, and caring for your teen's spiritual health also supports their mental well-being.