What do I say?

Here are key messages to share with teens. The more you model them yourself, the more effective they will be. We all have mental health.

Mental health is an important part of everyone’s health.

When you have good mental health, you can cope better with stress. When you have poor mental health, you might have a harder time feeling good about yourself. Mental health changes just like physical health can, so don’t ignore problems. Even if you are diagnosed with a mental illness, mental illnesses are treatable.

Bad days are part of being human.

Everyone will have a bad day, or even a bad week, at times. It’s normal to feel low, stressed, or anxious when we experience conflict, disappointment, loss, or other upsetting situations. The key is that the feelings should match the situation and you should start to feel better as things improve. For example, if you feel anxious about a school project, the feelings should go away when the project is finished.

Speak up if you’re having problems.

If you’re concerned about your mental health, speak up and ask for help. That way, you can manage problems before they become harder to treat or have a bigger impact on your life. If you don’t feel comfortable talking with parents or caregivers, talk to a counsellor or teacher at school, or any other adult you trust.

Be critical of stereotypes.

Mental illnesses aren’t always shown very realistically or respectfully on social media, in movies, or even in the news. Most people with mental illnesses are trying to go about their lives as best they can. Remember that everyone deserves equal respect.

Warning signs

These are some warning signs for common mental health problems. These signs may not point to a mental illness, but they show that it’s time to talk with your teen and then with a doctor or mental health professional to see what’s going on.

• Anxiety that seems out of control or extreme given the situation
• Low mood that lasts for a long time or frequent tearfulness
• Unusually high mood, racing thoughts or ideas
• Hopelessness, worthlessness, or talk of death or wanting to escape
• Excessive irritability or anger
• Changes in eating, weight, or sleeping patterns
• Self-injury (such as cutting)
• Sensations (such as hearing voices) that aren’t real
• Strange beliefs that can’t possibly be true
• Difficulties remembering information or making decisions

If a teen comes to you with mental health concerns

Take their concerns seriously. It might be easy to dismiss a teenager’s concerns as ‘just hormones’ or ‘just another part of growing up,’ but that isn’t helpful. Even if you can’t relate to the problem, you can still express concerns about your teen’s worry or distress.

Take time to listen—without judgment. If you’re in the middle of something else, find a time later in the day when you can talk and give your full attention. Don’t judge what you hear. Just listen and be there.

Ask your teen what they need. They might already have a good idea of the next steps they’d like to take.

Don’t worry about having all the answers right away. This can be an opportunity to learn together.

Offer alternatives. It can be difficult for some teens to talk with their parents about some subjects. Give additional places to seek support, such as a school counsellor, another family member, a local mental health or youth organization, a website, or a phone line.

Talk about safe situations to share personal details. It’s very hard to take information back once it’s posted on social media or shared with others, so encourage your teen to think about safe places to talk and seek support.

Seek outside help if you need to. Your family doctor is a great place to start. They may be able to assess problems and provide treatment. They will also refer your teen to specialized mental health services, if needed. Your teen’s school counsellors can also help. They can offer supports at school, and they can refer your teen to resources in the community.