Mental health is a delicate topic, but it is a topic that’s important to talk about. Many teens today struggle with mental health issues, and often, the adults who love them are ill-equipped to help their teens through these issues on their own. Teen mental health family groups are an incredible resource that can improve the well-being of teens and the adults who love them.
At Fort Behavioral Health, our experts offer a variety of family support groups for teens suffering from all kinds of mental health issues. If you’d like more information about our teen mental health family groups, reach out to us today online or at 844.332.1807.
Identifying Teen Mental Health Issues
Teens are often overwhelmed because of feelings of emotional distress in their family that often result from events such as divorce, loss of a parent, or bullying at school. Adolescents don’t really understand what is going on in the body and mind. They are changing rapidly and sometimes this can be an overwhelming process in itself.
Mental health issues can crop up in teens at any time for many reasons, and sometimes for seemingly no visible reason at all. If you notice that the teen you love seems constantly down, angry, lacking in self-esteem, or overly stressed, this could indicate serious mental health issues. Sudden changes in appetite, sleep patterns, behavior, and appearance can also indicate teen mental health issues.
Family Groups to Support Your Teen’s Mental Health
There are times when we may want to ask for help, but we fear being judged for our inability to assist in the situation at hand. We fear that people will think that we aren’t ready for something, because we haven’t tried yet. We worry about what people might think about us, or about how others might judge us as parents if we offer our teen support services. Setting these fears aside and joining a family support group can be as beneficial to adults as it is too teens.
Prioritizing your own mental health can set a powerful example for the teens you love. If you are willing to open up about your feelings and thoughts with them, then it can inspire and encourage them to do the same with you. A family support group can provide a structured experience and facilitate the sort of healthy intergenerational sharing that will set you and your teen up for success. When your teen is struggling, it can be scary. You may not know what the right thing to do is. It can feel like you’re the only one who understands their struggles and how difficult it is for them.
Instead of trying to make a teenager feel better by telling them that it will pass or offering advice, it can be helpful to ask open-ended questions like:
- What do you think would help you?
- When did you start to feel this way?
- Could some time alone help?
- Would talking with someone whom you trust help?
- Why do you think this is happening?
- What can we do together that won’t make things worse?
- Why were you doing this?
- What do you think about a family support group?
- How are you feeling right now?
- What are some things that you’re grateful for?
Sometimes, having mental health discussions with the teen you love on your own isn’t enough. It’s hard to know what to say or do when someone you love has a mental health issue. It isn’t easy to explain why you don’t feel like you have the power to offer them any help. You’re not alone. A family support group at Fort Behavioral Health can empower you both.
Find Support for Teen Mental Health Issues at Fort Behavioral Health
At Fort Behavioral Health, we offer a variety of family support services proven to help you and the teens you love find peace of mind and a sense of well-being. Our compassionate and knowledgable experts have decades of experience serving the greater Fort Worth, Texas area.
To learn more about how Fort Behavioral Health can help with teen mental health issues, contact us today by calling 844.332.1807 or completing our online contact form.
