When Do I Call For Help?

It can sneak up on you. One day your teen is laughing, happy, and enjoying time with the family. Almost overnight you could find yourself with a depressed teen, a teen who is lashing out and is now a person you don’t recognize. How do you handle it? What should your first step be? How can you tell that your teen’s behavior has extended to the point where you now need to consider getting them professional help? Understandably, you may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and concerned about how you can best help your teen. You may also feel very much alone as you try to navigate this new stage of parenting. The good news is that there are several options for you to consider.

Recognizing when it’s time to get help

You know your teen best. You will be able to recognize, in many cases, when he is struggling or in need of more help than you’re able to give to him. Knowing some of the signs that he is struggling with can help you decide to reach out to get him access to the right resources. Some of these signs could include:

• Loss of interest in activities they once enjoyed.
• Constant feelings of hopelessness, sadness, anxiety, or anger.
• Difficulty making decisions or focusing.
• Changes in sleeping and eating habits.
• Decrease in grades at school, and a loss of interest in school and friends.
• Signs of drug or alcohol use and abuse.
• Self-harm behaviors and talking about hurting themselves.
• Withdrawing from family and friends.

It’s not suggested that you ignore your teen’s signs of depression. Particularly if you also see the signs of self-harm or hear him talking about hurting himself.

Where to start getting your teen help

Where do you begin? It can feel like a lonely process when you’re living with a depressed teen who is clearly in crisis. Steps to get your teen access to the resources and help he needs:

• Speak to your family doctor or your teenager’s pediatrician. They will be able to give your teen a physical examination and run bloodwork to rule out any contributing factors. The doctor can then recommend resources for mental wellness after listening to your concerns.
• Your teen may benefit from medications to help with depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
• Your teen’s doctor may suggest that you reach out to a counselor. Counseling options can help your teen get the support he needs as he works through the struggles he’s facing.

If your teen has been struggling with anxiety and doesn’t particularly like the idea of going to counseling, there are virtual support options. Peer support groups can be a good resource for struggling teens. There are options for online support groups if you look for them. Even drug and alcohol support groups offer online options so that everyone who needs it can get support. Your teen may also enjoy reading self-help books targeted at struggling teens. His counselor may have some great recommendations. Another consideration is online counseling. Several options can allow your teen to install an app on their preferred device. It will enable them to reach out for the help they need when they need it. Many counselors also offer video or virtual sessions that benefit their young patients. The sooner that you get your teen the valuable help he needs, the sooner he will be able to start to feel relief from depression. During this process, don’t forget to communicate to your teen how much you love him, care for him, and want to get him the right type of help.