Protecting Your Teen’s Mental Health ADVICE FROM A PSYCHOLOGIST WHO UNDERSTANDS BY REBECCA HASTINGS
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ITH THREE TEENAGERS, THERE always seems to be something I’m worried about. Are they happy? Did they eat any vegetables? Do they even know how to make their bed? I worry about it all. As parents, we think about everything from the small things to the big things when it comes to our kids. Among the biggest concerns is their mental health. It can be hard to know if we are doing enough, focusing on what really matters, and what to do if we’re concerned. Dr. Justin Puder is a licensed psychologist dedicated to shining a light on mental health and ending the stigma associated with it. With over half a million followers on TikTok, Puder, often called Dr. J, is using his expertise and the power of social media to help us and our teens live healthy lives. A recent study shows as many as 37% of teens reported struggles with mental health during the pandemic. Pair these elevated anxiety levels with the majority of teens concerned that a shooting might occur at their school, and teens need more help now than ever before. To equip parents with practical and affordable wellness tools to support their teens, I had the opportunity to ask Dr. Puder some questions that were on my mind as a mom of teens. Here’s what he had to say.
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What should parents be looking for when it comes to teen mental health? Dr. Puder: Parents should be aware of any changes that last for days that are atypical for their teen. Examples include changes in eating, sleeping, socialization, energy, and mood shifts. Anything that’s out of the norm may be a sign that your teen is experiencing a mental health issue. Though teens will often desire privacy and independence as they approach young adulthood, if you notice that your teen is isolating from everyone (including friends) this is often a sign of distress. How do you know the difference between typical anxiety or stress and something more serious? Dr. Puder: We all experience stress and anxiety increases throughout life, however, when those increases impair our daily activities it becomes problematic. For teens this is typically seen with trouble completing schoolwork, taking exams, socializing, concentrating, and can lead to an avoidance of going to school or partaking in their typical schedule. It’s typically normal for teens to struggle in one class or have trouble with certain assignments, but it is a more serious issue a teen is struggling across classes and in other settings (home, work, sports team, etc).
O R E G O N F A M I LY . C O M
SEPTEMBER 2022
