There may be times when your teen may see how far they can push boundaries. Setting personal boundaries can help reduce conflict while creating a trusting relationship. Here's how.
Because suicide is the second leading cause of death for ages 10-24, it's important parents talk to kids about suicide and mental health from an early age.
If your teen has run away from home, the first priority is finding them and ensuring they’re safe. But what should you do after they safely return home? Amanda McNab, MSW, LCSW, suggests the steps parents should take to understand why your teenager ran away in the first place—and start to rebuild the relationship in a healthy way to prevent future runaways.
Teenagers often have strong emotional reactions accompanied by feelings of being frustrated, overwhelmed, moody, tired, and angry. As a parent, how can you tell if physical and psychological stressors have...
It's not unusual for adolescents to feel sad, anxious, confused, or distressed. When negative emotions become overwhelming, youth may start using self-injury as a way to cope with stress in...
Substance use in children can start as early as middle school. While experimentation is common in teens, it's important as a parent to know how to have conversations that can prevent abuse and protect your kids' development. Child psychiatrist Mary Steinmann, MD, shares the strategies that can help parents speak with their teens about the consequences of substance use and identify the best time to intervene with professional help.
As a parent, if you suspect your child may be engaging in self-harming behaviors, you may not be sure what to do to help. Psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Conover explains how to identify signs of self-harm, provides strategies for discussing your worries with your teen, and resources available to help parents in this scary situation.
The National Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 by dialing 988.
If you suspect that your teenager may be suffering from depression, could talking to them about it make them feel worse? According to Dr. Thomas Conover, as a parent of a teen, communication is key and you should be able to ask your child about how they’re feeling. He explains strategies to talk to your teen about their mental health and how to identify when you should seek professional help.
As a parent, Identifying signs of clinical depression in your teenager can be quite difficult. Thomas Conover, MD, looks for negative changes in these key areas: school performance, participation in extracurriculars, social life, and family interactions. Learn how to assess these situations and when to seek professional help for your teen.
Suicide can be a difficult topic to discuss with a teenager, but it is too important to ignore—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Teen depression, self-harm, and suicide have seen a rise as teenagers are cut off from their sense of normal. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner shares her personal and professional experience with suicide, and the importance of checking in with your child and helping them process what they are experiencing. The National Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline is available 24/7 by dialing 988.
Most teenagers experience changes in their mood and emotions during puberty, whether it be trying to isolate themselves in their room, not wanting to do things with the family, or general irritability. These can also be the signs of depression. Psychiatrist Dr. Thomas Conover explains what questions you should be asking yourself —and your teenager—to help identify if it’s typical teenage moodiness or if you should seek professional help.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 3.2 million kids aged 12 to 17 have had a depressive episode in the last year. Pediatrician Dr. Cindy Gellner explains what depression looks like in children and how you as a parent can help your child’s mental health.
It's a stressful time for many of us, even children. With most children having been sent home from school, stress and anxiety can run high. Child psychiatrist Dr. Benjamin Chan talks about what parents can do to help their kids during the COVID-19 pandemic.
