Five Ways to Support Your Teens Mental Health _YMHFA
Encourage physical self-care. Talk with your teenager about healthy habits such as diet, nutrition and exercise and how they’re all related. Several studies, including one published in the American Journal of Public Health, show the positive effects a healthy diet and regular exercise have on mental well-being.
Foster mental and emotional care. Share how journaling, creating art or music, or finding a new hobby such as cooking, can vastly improve inner peace and joy. Consider giving your teen a new journal or cooking utensil for that little extra push of encouragement.
Discuss social media usage. Social media apps, such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, play an influential role in the lives of young people. In a Pew Research Foundation study, 86% of teens who use TikTok and Snapchat say they are on the platform daily, with a quarter saying they are on the site or app constantly. Talk to your teen about their social media usage and how it may impact their mental health.
Teach healthy boundaries. Teenagers may find it helpful to learn how to set limits. This can help with social media usage, completing homework or socializing. For example, if your teenager doesn’t feel up to hanging out with friends, help come up with some boundary-setting phrases, such as, “Thanks for the offer, but I can’t today. Maybe next time.” Teaching your teenager how to set healthy boundaries is something they’ll practice the rest of their lives.
Talk openly about mental health. The best way to destigmatize mental health is discussion. Talk with your teenager about your own mental health challenges, if any. Point to statistics that can help them understand how common mental health challenges are and that there is no shame in asking for help.
For more information about teen mental health visit Youth Mental Health First Aid
Teens & Technology- How to help teens manage phones and other technology:
Set reasonable limits. Talk to your teen about how to avoid letting social media interfere with his or her activities, sleep, meals or homework. Encourage a bedtime routine that avoids electronic media use, and keep cellphones and tablets out of teens' bedrooms. Set an example by following these rules yourself.
Monitor your teen's accounts. Let your teen know that you'll be regularly checking his or her social media accounts. You might aim to do so once a week or more. Make sure you follow through.
Explain what's not OK. Discourage your teen from gossiping, spreading rumors, bullying or damaging someone's reputation — online or otherwise. Talk to your teen about what is appropriate and safe to share on social media.
Encourage face-to-face contact with friends. This is particularly important for teens vulnerable to social anxiety disorder.
Talk about social media. Talk about your own social media habits. Ask your teen how he or she is using social media and how it makes him or her feel. Remind your teen that social media is full of unrealistic images.
For more resources on phones and technology visit:
Understanding the effects of social media on adolescents- Mayo Clinic & Mass General Hopsital