Approximately 14% of 10-19 years old (adolescents) live with a diagnosis of mental health disorders worldwide. This is because the mental health needs of adolescents are often overlooked.
Adolescence is a unique and formative time, but it can also be a challenging time both mentally and emotionally. It is the time when your teen goes through several physicals, emotional, and social changes, which can make him/her vulnerable to many mental health problems.
If you’re a parent of a teen and wondering how to promote adolescent mental health, this article is for you. Let’s talk about what mental health promotion means, how you can promote the mental health of your adolescent, and where you can go in Palm Harbor, FL, for adolescent mental health-related problems.
What Is Meant by Mental Health Promotion?
Mental health promotion refers to the attempts one can make to encourage and increase the protective factors and healthy behaviors that can prevent the onset of mental health disorders. These protective factors include:
- Supportive parents or guardian
- Stable home environment
- A supportive community that consists of family, neighbors, and friends
- Consistency and proper routine
Simply put, by promoting mental health, you create living conditions and environments that support the mental health of your adolescent and allow them to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Ways to Promote Adolescent Mental Health
Given below are some ways you can contribute to promoting the mental health of your teen as a parent.
#1 Work Through the Conflicts Together
It’s too common to have a conflict with your adolescent. But you must know that the conflict that seems minor to you can wreak havoc on your teen’s mental health. So, you must sort out even a minor conflict calmly and be honest and transparent with your adolescent.
Before working through the conflict, you can set some rules, such as speaking in a calm voice, not interrupting another person, and using respectful language.
You must listen and understand their perspective. To understand your teen’s point of view, you can relate to them by thinking back to your feelings and experiences as a young person.
#2 Encourage Your Adolescent to Share Their Feeling
Make sure that you always check in with your teen. You can encourage them to share their feelings with you by asking them simple day-to-day questions like, how their day has been, what they have been doing, etc. Always remind them that you are always there for them.
While it’s easy to notice doing them things you don’t like, try to notice and praise them for things they do well. You must also teach your child that stress, grief, and loss are normal emotions, and everyone goes through them.
#3 Get Help from Specialists
If you notice that your teen is on the verge of a mental health crisis or is more vulnerable to mental health issues, don’t hesitate to seek the help of an expert. You can talk to a health care professional, for example, a pediatrician, and get help from them. The pediatrician that specializes in adolescent health can ask your teen about their school experience and family relationship as a part of their routine health screening.
They can not only promote the mental health of your adolescent but can also educate you on how to communicate with the child effectively, connect with them and monitor their activities and behaviors. They can also refer your teen to mental health specialists.
Adolescent Mental Health Near Me in Palm Harbor, FL
If you think your teen is struggling with mental health or is vulnerable to mental health problems, don’t waste a minute getting them help.
At Children’s Medical Center, we have 21 board-certified pediatricians, and many of them are specialized in adolescent health to provide your child with the care they need. We evaluate your child’s mental health and recommend a mental health specialist if needed.
To book an appointment with one of our outstanding pediatricians, call our staff today at 727-787-6335. We look forward to helping your child!
