Parenting Tips: When to Get Help for Teen Depression

Knowing when to seek out help for teen depression can be difficult. Even just identifying that your son may be struggling with depression can be difficult. The signs and symptoms can often be confused with regular teen angst, making it all the more challenging to figure out whether what your son is going through is normal or not. Certain tips and advice can help steer you in the right direction, though.

Getting your teen to open up more

Many teenagers don’t have an open dialogue about how they’re feeling mentally with their parents–or with anyone, really. Having this channel open can vastly improve your chances of identifying emerging issues in your child’s mental health, though, which makes it incredibly important. A good time to open it is during meals. Making meals a time where you talk openly about how you’re feeling can be amazingly helpful in getting a feel for your child’s well-being. Explain that this time is a judgement free time–but don’t expect them to open up immediately. You may actually have to take the first steps by talking about your own challenges the first few times.

Knowing when to worry about mental health issues in your son

First off, it’s not new information that teenage behavior is all over the place. This can make it difficult to tell the difference between regular teen outbursts and signs your son needs help for teen depression. Luckily, there’s some things you can watch out for in order to narrow it down. Something to watch for is a large, out of character change. This isn’t just suddenly talking back or looking a bit more tired than usual–this is a persistent, unusual change. For example, if your son is usually very talkative and social but suddenly barely speaks, there’s probably a deeper issue going on, especially if it continues for more than a few days. More specific signs or symptoms that your child may need help for teen depression include:

Often sad or in a depressed mood
Frequently shows feelings of helplessness
Cries for no apparent reason
Commonly irritated or intolerant of other people
Lack of motivation or energy
Finding usually loved activities boring or uninteresting
Sudden changes in appetite or sleep patterns
Unexplained pains and aches
Alcohol/substance abuse
Frequent complaints about loneliness or boredom

If you believe your son may be struggling with a mental health issue, it’s critical to reach out to a professional as soon as possible. The sooner the intervention, the better your son’s chances of succeeding.

Equinox offers help for teen depression in boys

Equinox RTC is a residential treatment center for teen boys, ages 14 – 18. Our students often need help for teen depression, anxiety, trauma, ADHD, drug use, and other behavioral or emotional issues. We strive to help students develop healthy habits and lead themselves back onto a path of success through meaningful therapy and a nurturing environment. At Equinox, teenagers work towards building accountability, respect, and a solution-oriented approach to solving their challenges. For more information about help for teen depression at Equinox, contact us today at (877) 279-8925