Being there for your child is the most important thing you can do to help protect their mental health. The teenage years are a difficult time for everyone, but there are things you can do to help them have more ups than downs.
In this short video, Child Psychologist Cathy Richards discusses teen emotions and feelings.
Tips for supporting your teen's mental health
Tip #1: Let them know that all feelings are okay
Tip #1: Let them know that all feelings are okay
Tip #2: Pause and slow down
Tip #2: Pause and slow down
Tip #3: Help teens work through their problems
Tip #3: Help teens work through their problems
Tip #4: Help them find other outlets for their feelings
Tip #4: Help them find other outlets for their feelings
Tip #5: Encourage them to get outside
Tip #5: Encourage them to get outside
Supporting your teen's mental health
For a more in-depth look at how you can support your teen’s mental health, you can sign up for a free course from NHS Scotland and SilverCloud. The course ‘Supporting an anxious teen’ helps parents and carers support teenagers to deal with worry and anxiety, while also learning helpful strategies to tackle their own anxiety. In the course you’ll learn how anxiety affects teens, and how to help them manage anxiety. It also includes practical tools like breathing exercises and relaxation activities.
You can find out more about the courses available here and sign up for free using the code Scotland2020.