Strategies for Parents to Help Teens Avoid Depression and Addiction

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There are many ways in which parents can support their teenager in order to help the child stay physically and mentally healthy. Here are a handful of strategies that parents can use to help their teen avoid depression, anxiety, addiction, and other teen issues.

  1.  Establish an open line of communication. Make them feel comfortable about reaching out to you about teen issues be being open and leaving out judgement.
  2. Take them seriously. When your child talks to you about difficulties they are having, make sure you validate their feelings and don’t blow off their symptoms.
  3. Help them get professional help if necessary. It’s important to know that addiction and mental health issues cannot always be dealt with on your own. Teach your teen not to be afraid to ask for help and help them find resources if they need it.
  4. Make time for your teen’s passions. Tapping into your passion if one of the most effective ways of preventing depression and addiction. Encourage your child to engage in what they are passionate about and support them along the way.

 

Paradigm Treatment Blog

Strategies for Parents to Help Teens Avoid Depression and Addiction

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Aug 1, 2016

Pat D'Amico

Mental Health

Lucy Nguyen

Lucy Nguyen, LMFT
Clinical Reviewer

Lucy Nguyen is the Executive Director at Paradigm Treatment, overseeing all clinical treatment programs across the organization's southwestern region. Her extensive experience includes working with young adults in private practice, serving as a therapist for children and teens with emotional and behavioral needs, and acting as a behavior interventionist for teens with developmental disorders. Lucy integrates cognitive-behavioral approaches with mindfulness and compassion in her work, and she is also EMDR-trained. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling from California State University, Fullerton, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine.

There are many ways in which parents can support their teenager in order to help the child stay physically and mentally healthy. Here are a handful of strategies that parents can use to help their teen avoid depression, anxiety, addiction, and other teen issues.

  1.  Establish an open line of communication. Make them feel comfortable about reaching out to you about teen issues be being open and leaving out judgement.
  2. Take them seriously. When your child talks to you about difficulties they are having, make sure you validate their feelings and don't blow off their symptoms.
  3. Help them get professional help if necessary. It's important to know that addiction and mental health issues cannot always be dealt with on your own. Teach your teen not to be afraid to ask for help and help them find resources if they need it.
  4. Make time for your teen's passions. Tapping into your passion if one of the most effective ways of preventing depression and addiction. Encourage your child to engage in what they are passionate about and support them along the way.

 

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