{"id":22190,"date":"2023-05-10T19:09:46","date_gmt":"2023-05-10T19:09:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/?p=22190"},"modified":"2023-10-09T23:11:42","modified_gmt":"2023-10-09T23:11:42","slug":"how-to-have-a-mental-health-check-in-with-teens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bloomforall.com\/parent\/how-to-have-a-mental-health-check-in-with-teens\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health Check Ins With Your Tweens and Teens"},"content":{"rendered":"

*<\/strong>This article was created with the full BLOOM team and multiple experts, as outlined below.<\/em><\/p>

As a caregiver, communication with your teen is crucial to the bond and relationship that you hold with your child. Communication can help them grow and develop as individuals. However, what many of us know intuitively is that communication with our young people becomes more complicated as they get older. <\/p>

Talking to your teen about mental health can be difficult, but it’s important to create an open and supportive environment where they feel comfortable talking to you about their feelings. While there is no one-size-fits-all way to communicate, the main principles are true throughout. Approach your mental health check ins with trust, respect, transparency, and an understanding of culture.<\/p>

Where to Start the Conversation<\/h2>

Create and cultivate a space where questions are welcome, honesty is invited, and vulnerability is cherished. Intentionally cultivating a space and time for you and your teen to connect and continuously get to know one another serves many purposes \u2014 including developing a deeper deeper connection with them. It will also come in handy during those inevitable tough moments or times when difficult questions must be asked. In a safe space, communication is much easier.<\/p>

When & How to Start the Conversation<\/h2>

Once you\u2019ve cultivated that space, you can periodically ask your teen questions about their mental health and their experiences in the world.<\/p>

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Do a Mental Health Check In<\/h2>

Here are some great questions to ask them to gauge how they are doing with their mental health.<\/p>

  1. If you could change one thing about your life right now, what would it be?<\/li>\n\n
  2. What do you need me and the other adults in your life to know about you right now?<\/li>\n\n
  3. How can I support you right now?<\/li>\n\n
  4. How can I advocate for you?<\/li>\n\n
  5. Do you feel like you want or need someone besides me to talk to about stuff?<\/li><\/ol>

    Scaling questions are great too! With scales you can compare the answers to previous questions to know if things have gotten better or if they have gotten worse. Have 0 mean no or minimal and 10 mean maximal.<\/p>

    1. On a scale of 0-10, how sad do you feel right now?<\/li>\n\n
    2. On a scale of 0-10, how worried are you about different things in life?<\/li>\n\n
    3. On a scale of 0-10, how well supported do you feel by me?<\/li>\n\n
    4. On a scale of 0-10, how happy are you at school?<\/li>\n\n
    5. On a scale of 0-10, how well understood do you feel by me?<\/li><\/ol>

      When to Reach Out for Support<\/h2>

      Remember, asking questions is important but not more important than your teen\u2019s comfort and emotional safety. When young people are struggling with their mental health, they may have difficulty answering these questions, as they may be feeling all jumbled up inside. <\/p>

      Some signs of this are: limited eye contact, answering questions with \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d or becoming emotional when you ask these questions. These could be signs that they need some time to process. If that\u2019s the case, don\u2019t push it, and try again another time. You may also want to give them a selection of concepts to choose from (\u201cAre you feeling angry, sad, or frustrated?\u201d)<\/p>

      If you are still hitting a wall, it may be a good idea to connect them with a therapist who they may feel more comfortable opening up to, not because you are not an amazing caregiver, but more so because they need someone completely unbiased and neutral to talk to.  <\/p>

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      How to Start Talking About Mood Disorders & Depression<\/h2>

      *This section was written by BLOOM\u2019S expert, <\/em>Violaine Gu\u00e9ritault, Ph.D.<\/em><\/a><\/p>

      Before you start a conversation with your teen, remember that it is essential that your voice be gentle, calm, and reassuring when you talk to them. Your peaceful voice and presence will make them feel safe and will help them open up to you. A good and straightforward way to start a conversation with your teen is by letting them know what you\u2019ve observed or noticed.<\/p>