Canadas Best Program For Teen Mental Health Can Help
As much as we want it to, sometimes an enhanced routine or a fun hobby is not enough for to overcome depression. If you feel like you and your teen could use more support, consider a teen program such as the Healthy Minds Comprehensive Teen Program at EHN Online, an expert-led program that provides guidance, support and education to depressed or anxious teens and their caregivers.
EHNs program is a virtual, structured, evidence-based outpatient program that helps teens cope without removing them from their normal patterns and routines. It is suitable for those experiencing symptoms of depression and/or anxiety and need more support than counselling or medication alone can provide.
Attending a formal program shows teens that they are not alone in their struggles, teaches them strategies to cope and feel better, and gives them the comprehensive support they need. It also ensures that teens and caregivers are on the same page about mental health and best practices. Give us a call to discuss your options and see if the Healthy Minds Comprehensive Teen Program is a good fit for your teen and your family.
References
1 Racine, N., McArthur, B. A., Cooke, J. E., Eirich, R., Zhu, J., & Madigan, S. . Global Prevalence of Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Children and Adolescents During COVID-19: A Meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics, 175, 11421150. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2021.2482
4 Sleep for Teenagers. . Sleep Foundation. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/teens-and-sleep
What Are The Warning Signs For Teen Suicide
Teen suicide is a serious problem. Adolescent suicide is the second leading cause of death, following accidents, among youth and young adults in the U.S. It is estimated that 500,000 teens attempt suicide every year with 5,000 succeeding. These are epidemic numbers.
Family difficulties, the loss of a loved one, or perceived failures at school or in relationships can all lead to negative feelings and depression. And teen depression often makes problems seem overwhelming and the associated pain unbearable. Suicide is an act of desperation and teen depression is often the root cause.
Warning signs of suicide with teen depression include:
- Expressing hopelessness for the future
- Giving up on one’s self, talking as if no one else cares
- Preparing for death, giving away favorite possessions, writing goodbye letters, or making a will
- Starting to use or abuse drugs or alcohol to aid sleep or for relief from their mental anguish
- Defiant behavior
- Acting violently
- Threatening to kill one’s self
If your teenager displays any of these behaviors, you should seek help from a mental health professional immediately. Or you can call a suicide hotline for help.
Depression carries a high risk of suicide. Anybody who expresses suicidal thoughts or intentions should be taken very, very seriously. Do not hesitate to call your local suicide hotline immediately. Call 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-273-TALK .
More Tips On How To Help A Teen With Depression
Being a mom is not easy. Being a single mom is even more challenging. Having children means you are on the job 24/7. Even while you are sleeping, you are still ready to wake at the slightest peep because that is what moms do.
Moms, especially single moms, need more people cheering them on. Your love and care matter to your kids. You are their superhero. I think single moms are superheroes, too.
The quotes below are words of encouragement for all of the single moms out there. Keep up the great work! Your hard work will pay off. Someday, they will be grown up and living on their own. Your job will never truly be done as a mom, but you can pat yourself on the back today and every day for doing mom duty day in and day out.
Here are 50 single mom quotes to encourage all the single moms out there.
Don’t Miss: Partial Hospitalization Program For Depression
Teen Meditation And Yoga
An increasing number of studies show that mindfulness meditation can help support teen mental health. Meditation encourages us to witness our emotions from a distance rather than getting caught up in them. A review study at Johns Hopkins found that meditation was just as effective as antidepressants in treating symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Facing The Danger Of Teen Suicide
Sometimes teens feel so depressed that they consider ending their lives. Each year, almost 5,000 young people, ages 15 to 24, kill themselves. The rate of suicide for this age group has nearly tripled since 1960, making it the third leading cause of death in adolescents and the second leading cause of death among college-age youth.
Studies show that suicide attempts among young people may be based on long-standing problems triggered by a specific event. Suicidal adolescents may view a temporary situation as a permanent condition. Feelings of anger and resentment combined with exaggerated guilt can lead to impulsive, self-destructive acts.
Recommended Reading: Is Depression Normal During Pregnancy
Depression In Teen Boys
Even though depression is more common in females, with 20% of females and 6.8% of males reporting a major depressive episode in 2017, this is still a serious issue for teen boys that is rising in prevalence every year.
Just as females have a considerable amount of pressures and struggles placed upon them by society, so do males. Men are typically conditioned to bottle up their emotions and refrain from crying or showing any signs of weakness. This can make opening up difficult, and so when there is trauma, conflict in the home, or abuse going on, males are more likely to shut down and refrain from disclosing or reaching out for help. They can be more inclined to try to be strong and deal with everything life throws at them on their own, which is impossible for any one single person to do all the time.
When it comes to abuse, males are more likely to experience severe physical abuse, and they are less likely to report any instances of sexual abuse.
When teen boys are depressed, they are more likely to express their feelings behaviorally by acting out with aggression, anger, alcohol or drug abuse, and/or engaging in risky behaviors.
Males are also more likely to succeed when attempting suicide, which is oftentimes caused by depression, as they tend to choose more violent means.
What To Do When Your Teen Is Depressed
Youve read over the above list and are pretty sure that your teen is depressed. Now what? Here are some things you can do to help your teen with depression.
1. Talk to Your Teen
Find out as much as possible by asking lots of questions. For example, Ive noticed that your schoolwork is suffering. You want to talk about it? or Im concerned that youve been spending a lot of time in your room and not going out with your friends? Is there something with which I can help?
2. Take Your Teen to a Mental Health Professional
You may or may not be on the right track suspecting your teen is depressed. Like I mentioned, sometimes, its difficult to decipher your teens mood. Thats why a professionaltherapist, psychiatrist, or doctorcan either confirm or allay your suspicions and either point you in the right direction to get your child help or tell you to keep an eye on things and give it a little more time.
3. Explain Your Reasons for Concern.
You may want to express your concerns to your teen and the reasons why youre having them. For instance, you might say, I am concerned that you might be depressed. Heres why Then, list the reasons. Furthermore, you can say, If you are feeling depressed, I just want you to know that theres help out there.
Putting words to what your teen is feeling will validate their experience. Often, having words to our experiences can be a great relief.
4. Consider Medications
5. Psychotherapy
6. Lifestyle Adjustments
Be your childs advocate!
Don’t Miss: What Medications Treat Bipolar Depression
Normalize Mental Health Issues
OBrien: Talking about anxiety and depression without judgment can go a long way toward counteracting the stigma around these issues. Parents may not realize how effective it is to talk openly about mental health. Even if they seem unresponsive at the time, children remember these conversations and know they can talk with their parents in the future if they need to.
Recognizing The Warning Signs
Four out of five teens who attempt suicide have given clear warnings. Pay attention to these warning signs:
- Suicide threats, direct and indirect
- Obsession with death
- Overwhelming sense of guilt, shame or rejection
- Changed eating or sleeping patterns
- Severe drop in school performance
REMEMBER!!! These warning signs should be taken seriously. Obtain help immediately. Caring and support can save a young life.
Read Also: Common Drugs Used For Depression
Provide Continual Warmth Caring And Support
Parents may think that they have little to offer teens but recent studies suggest otherwise.
In one 2016 study of a large group of teenagers from diverse ethnic backgrounds, results showed that teens with high levels of parental support had lower depression symptoms and lower cortisol and C-reactive protein levelstwo physiological markers associated with depressionthan teens with less supportive relationships. Interestingly, peer support levels did not change these markers, suggesting that parental support may be key.
In another study, Eva Telzer and colleagues found that having a positive relationship with parents decreased activation of the ventral striatum, the reward center of the brain, during a risk-taking exercise performed in the lab. This suggests that parents can help reduce higher levels of teen risk-taking, which has been associated with depression.
What Are The Signs Of Depression In Children And Teenagers
Children and teenagers who are depressed have some of the typical symptoms that adults have, such as deep sadness and a lack of motivation to do anything. But they often have different symptoms too. These depend on their age:
- Pre-school children probably don’t get depressed very often, and it can be hard to tell if they are. Pre-schoolers who are depressed cry a lot, aren’t interested in playing and are very anxious. Many try too hard to be well-behaved and obedient. In some children it can set back their development.
- School-aged children who are depressed often lose interest in their hobbies and can be hostile to others. They quickly lose their temper, easily get upset about little things and have low self-esteem.
- With teenagers it can be hard to tell the difference between “normal mood swings and when they are actually depressed. Even healthy young people are sometimes defiant, aggressive, indifferent, have low self-esteem or retreat into themselves. As well as feeling down all the time, things like changes in weight, drug and alcohol abuse, extreme tiredness and suicidal thoughts can be signs of in teenagers.
Don’t Miss: Moderate Depression Vs Severe Depression
Overcoming Teen Depression Tip : Talk To An Adult You Trust
Depression is not your fault, and you didnt do anything to cause it. However, you do have some control over feeling better. The first step is to ask for help.
Need to talk to someone?
Get affordable online counseling from BetterHelp or visit HelpGuides directory for free helplines and crisis resources. HelpGuide is reader supported. We may receive a commission if you sign up for BetterHelp through the provided link. Learn more.
Ways To Help A Teen Or Young Adult Overcome Depression
As a parent, you want your son or daughter to be happy. You want your teen to be mentally, emotionally, and physically healthy. When theyre not, its easy to want to jump to solutions. Its easy to want a quick fix so that your teen is well again.
Yet, depression is different. In fact, mental illness in general is not a condition that you can simply put a band-aid on and forget about it. Mental illness requires attention, care, love, and work. Yes, believe it or not, it requires effort to heal from a mental illness, such as depression. As a parent, you can help your teen overcome depression with some measured and meaningful action. Heres five ways to get you started:
Recommended Reading: When To Get Help For Postpartum Depression
Talk To Your Teen About Coping Tools To Help Overcome Depression
Working with a therapist, your teen is sure to learn about coping tools. Regardless of whether your teen continues to see a mental health professional, you can encourage your teen to use coping tools to overcome depression and stay emotionally balanced. The following are great ways to stay emotionally healthy:
- Mindfulness
- Enjoying time with family and friends
- Laughing
- Spending time with those who are uplifting
- Painting, writing, dancing or other forms of creativity
- Having a daily schedule
- Exploring passions
- Thinking about goals for the future
As a parent you can not only encourage your teen to practice these healthy activities, you can also join them. In fact, having a weekly or monthly time for self-care and relaxation together can support your teens emotional health. Also, by doing these sort of activities together you send the message to your teen that these activities are important. You model for your teen the importance of emotional and psychological health.
Lastly, if you have a depressed teen at home, then youre likely going to need to take good care of yourself too. Youre going to have to stay positive to help your teen overcome depression and guide them into a lighter experience of life.
Knowledge About Depression Treatment Varies Across Racial Ethnic And Generational Lines
Another phase of the TDAP study explored teen and parent knowledge of depression treatment. Teens and their parents were asked about their knowledge of the two main therapies for depression: counseling and antidepressant medication. Researchers also examined how knowledge was related to treatment preferences and willingness to seek care.
The results showed differences across racial and ethnic lines. Hispanic and African-American teens knew less than their white counterparts about both antidepressants and counseling in both areas, the difference between white teens and those in other groups was statistically significant. Within the same ethnic group, parents knew more about counseling than teens this difference was also statistically significant. The analysis also found that parents’ knowledge influenced teens’ knowledge: Teens across all groups who turned for advice to a parent with more knowledge about antidepressants also knew more about medication. This relationship did not hold for counseling knowledge.
Recommended Reading: What Can I Take For Depression During Pregnancy
New Research Is Revealing How To Protect Teens’ Mental Health During A Challenging Part Of Life
Parents are understandably worried about their teens. Last years spate of teen suicides in Palo Alto, coupled with high rates of teen depression, make parents wonder what they could be doing to better help their kids navigate the sometimes-treacherous waters of their adolescent years.
Fortunately, scientists who study teen depression have some preliminary advice. By looking at new findings in neuroscience, as well as other psychological research and longitudinal data, scientists are zeroing in on a better understanding of what impacts teen depression and how to prevent it. Here are some of the suggestions coming out of the science.
Ways To Overcome Teenage Depression
Teenagers can get depressed and moody without any reason. There is nothing to worry because it is natural. They are facing a rollercoaster of emotions because of hormonal activities in their bodies. Teenagers might feel depressed for different reasons. For instance, they may develop feelings of inadequacy or worthlessness over their poor grades. Even though there are numerous academic writing services online where one can pay for essay from native authors and make sure their grades remain high, having to worry about ways to deal with homework causes a tremendous amount of stress.
Additionally, social status, sexual orientation, family life, or school performance can affect their emotions. Sometimes, environmental stress can increase depression of a teen. Regardless of the reason, friends and family should play their role in this situation.
If a teenager is worried about his/her homework or writing projects, you can request help with assignment from professionals. Try to find out the reason for his sadness before offering your support. Here are some ways to overcome teenage depression.
Also Check: How To Explain To Someone What Depression Feels Like
When To Get Medical Help
If you think your child is depressed, or you’re concerned about their general wellbeing, make an appointment with them to see a GP.
If necessary, the GP can refer your child to a local children and young people’s mental health service for specialist help.
CYPMHS is used as a term for all services that work with children and young people who have difficulties with their mental health or wellbeing.
You may also be able to refer your child without seeing a GP.
Read more about accessing mental health services.
Teen Anxiety And Depression Are Normal
Apart from using statistics and the Bible to assure teens that anxiety and depression are common, one of the best ways we can normalize these problems is to talk about mental illness and other emotional disorders as common experiences in a fallen world. Speak about it around the supper table or in the car. If we are teachers or preachers, we can talk about it in the classroom, in the pulpit, or at youth groups. Look out for long-term changes in your teens behavior and moods and take opportunities to ask her whats going on in her thoughts and feelings. You could say, for example, You seem to be a bit down or troubled. Can I help in any way? To maximize the chances of your teen opening up to you, try not to come across as judgmental, critical, or scared.
Only one thing is worse than never talking about such disorders, and that is to mock, shame, or stigmatize those who suffer with them. Such a cruel and arrogant attitude will ensure that our teens will never talk to us about these challenges or seek our help. They will either bottle it up and suffer in silence, or else they will seek help from others outside of the Christian community, who may lead them astray. At worst, they may start cutting themselves to find temporary relief, or even attempt suicide as a permanent solution.
Don’t Miss: Can A Blood Test Detect Depression