Q&A

Why should I trust a high school student to help me?

This is a totally understandable question! My parents and I have been through similar struggles and looking back on those times now, I would not have been able to survive without them. Taking advice from a teenager seems sketchy, but nobody knows what's going through a teenager's mind better than another teenager. Kids normally struggle with telling their parents how they feel or why they feel that way, due to me being in the same situation earlier, I know how they may feel.

When should I seek professional help for my teen?

After attempting to support them and make them feel loved, if their struggle persists you should consider seeking help. Before deciding to do this, make sure you have an open conversation with your teen about why you are considering this. Remember, your goal is not to make your child feel trapped or make them feel like they aren't normal. Your goal is to be with them and make sure they know it's okay to feel the way they feel.

Why should I even bother to help my teen?

Helping your child will not only save you from a lot of potential heartbreak, it will also make your relationship stronger. Make your teen feel safe when talking to you and they will start being much more open toward you. A child's strongest supports should be their parents, without their parents support they feel as though they have nobody's support. Teens who perceive low parental support are much more likely to experience serious mental health problems. According to PubMed: in one large study, young people who reported no perceived parental support had 4 times the risk of major mental health problems compared to those who reported very strong parental support. It is important you help your teen!