Every new generation of teenagers faces its own set of difficulties. From depression to body image issues to cyberbullying, the list of struggles today’s teens face is anything but short.

If you think your teen may be suffering from depression or another form of teenage mental illness, you may not be fully equipped to provide the help they need all on your own.

It can be a difficult time, but your family is most certainly not alone in its struggles. In fact, 1 in 5 young people suffers from mental illness in one form or another.

If your family needs some guidance on how to navigate a path to wellness, AllConsuming.net can help.

In this post, we’ll help you learn how to cope with your teenager’s mental illness, so your whole family can lead a healthy, happy life again.

You’ve got no time to lose, so let’s get right into it.

Be Aware of the Signs and Symptoms

It can be hard to discern if your child is suffering from teenage mental health issues, but there are a few telling signs and symptoms you can watch out for as a parent. Loss of interest in favorite past times like going outside and general moodiness are common signs, but things like eating disorders can be a sign, too.

The link between Eating Disorders and Suicide is not one to take lightly. Eating disorders actually have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses. If you notice that your teen’s eating patterns have changed dramatically, it’s a good idea to seek treatment.

Talk About Teenage Mental Illness and Drug Abuse

It’s important to have an open dialogue with your teen about mental illness and the dangers that can come with it. Reduce the stigma of mental illness by talking to your teen about them and encouraging them to be open with you about what they’re going through.

You’ll also want to talk with your teen about potential dangers such as drug abuse that can accompany mental illness. Many people – including teens – turn to drugs and/or alcohol to cope with mental illnesses.

Sure, you may be lucky and raise a teen who never feels the need to try either, but it’s not wise to assume they won’t ever experiment. As scary as it may be, it’s an important discussion to have. If you think your teen may have a substance abuse problem in addition to teenage mental health issues, it’s essential to confront your fear and have an honest conversation with them.

Help Them Get Help

If you’ve talked to your teen about teenage mental illness to no avail, it’s likely time to reach out to a professional.

This can be a pediatrician, doctor, therapist, or mental health specialist. The important thing is to ensure that your child is able to get the professional care they need so that they are not tempted to turn to unhealthy coping mechanisms.

Now that you’ve found your child the care they need, it’s time to look after yourself.

Find out about the best ways to manage stress on our blog.