{"id":29021,"date":"2024-07-31T18:01:33","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T18:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/?page_id=29021"},"modified":"2024-07-31T18:03:20","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T18:03:20","slug":"teen-mental-health-warning-signs-what-parents-should-know","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jedfoundation.org\/teen-mental-health-warning-signs-what-parents-should-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health Warning Signs in Teens: What Parents Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"A<\/p>\n

By Jessica Hicks<\/em><\/p>\n

As your teen\u2019s parent or caregiver, you likely know them better than most people. That\u2019s true even if you don\u2019t realize it and even if your teen doesn\u2019t regularly open up to you. You\u2019re in a unique position to observe their daily habits and moods, so you\u2019re well equipped to know when something\u2019s wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n

But how can you tell if your teen is navigating expected stress in their lives or if they\u2019re experiencing a more serious mental health issue? Here are some guidelines to help you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mild Versus Serious Mental Health Challenges<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mental health challenges are simply part of young adulthood. No matter how <\/span>resilient<\/span><\/a> your teen may be, they\u2019ll experience things that make them <\/span>feel weird or off<\/span><\/a> \u2014 but that in itself is not always a sign of mental illness. It\u2019s part of growing up, and it\u2019s to be expected.<\/span><\/p>\n

One way mental health professionals look at the impact and severity a mental health challenge is by assessing how long it lasts. A mild mental health challenge usually lasts for a short period and isn\u2019t disruptive to your teen\u2019s daily life. It may be something like having anxiety leading up to an exam or feeling sad after an argument with a friend.<\/span><\/p>\n

A serious mental health challenge lasts longer and is disruptive to your teen\u2019s daily life, leading to negative changes in their relationships, performance at school or in sports, daily habits, and more.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In general, two weeks is a good benchmark for figuring out the severity of your teen\u2019s mental health challenge. If they seem to be improving around that time, their mental health challenge may be milder \u2014 but that doesn\u2019t mean they don\u2019t need support. If symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it may be helpful to consult a mental health professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

Signs Your Teen Is Struggling With a More Serious Mental Health Challenge<\/span><\/h2>\n

General Signs\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n