Troubled Teenager Concerns – How Parents Can Help

You are not alone if you are currently experiencing the ebbs and flows of emotions that come with raising a troubled teen. So much occurs during adolescence that aids in shaping and creating the future adults that children will become. While many different experiences are necessary and productive, other scenarios can cause more concern than not; this includes situations like substance abuse, risky behavior, and even criminal activity.  With over 21 million teens (between 15-19 years old) in the United States, it’s imperative that parents find outlets to help their child get back on track to respecting authority, learning responsibility, and essentially turning away from a life of crime.  In this post, we will explain some of the more prominent concerns regarding teenagers today and how parents can help to point their children toward a brighter future.

Troubled Teenager Concerns

As a teenager, you might feel as though the entire world is against you. Between the struggle to fit in amongst peers, navigating the course of adolescence (and the many bodily changes that are occurring), balancing after-school jobs and sporting activities, and mitigating the stress of determining what lies after middle school and high school, it’s no wonder that so many teens are overwhelmed.  Let’s take a look at some of the other top-ranking issues that teens face nowadays, courtesy of the Pew Research Center:

• Anxiety + depression (affecting over 12% of teens in 2016)
• Alcohol use (with 16% of teens peer pressured to partake in consumption)
• Drug use (over 22% of participants surveyed reported usage within the last month)
• Bullying (with approximately ⅕ of teens experiencing some type of bullying in high school)

Other issues to consider include pregnancy, poverty, and gang violence. Unfortunately, these scenarios can all lead to problems like self-harm, dropping out of school, and criminal behavior if not addressed appropriately.  If any of these situations describe something your teen might be going through, it can certainly be alarming. But, thankfully, there are some tips that you can utilize in order to help your teen get where they need to be - and safely. 

Tips for Parents of Troubled Teens

It might sound the opposite of what you need to do, but one of the first steps you can take in helping your child is to ensure that you yourself are healthy and well taken care of. It’s like the phrase, “You can’t fill from an empty cup”...well, in this case, it can undoubtedly be true. Your teen will feed off any anxiety and stress you bring to the table (and, on the flip side, any positivity), so remembering to keep yourself on your to-do list is imperative. Getting enough sleep, exercise, and whole, nutrient-dense foods can all aid in maintaining the foundations of your family healthy. The second step in helping your troubled teen is paying attention to their behaviors. Pay attention to how they act after coming home from school, hanging out with friends, approaching curfew, etc. If they suddenly act completely differently or seem to be overreacting to situations they usually wouldn’t, it might be time to take action.  A third step to consider is your relationship with your teenager. While it can be a challenging time of life for both the parent and the child, it’s imperative to remain connected and communicate - even through the toughest of times. Think about activities that your son or daughter might be interested in; do you like to take walks? Maybe they like being in the kitchen with you while you are cooking a new meal. Other teens might enjoy some friendly family competitions, such as bowling or card games. Similar tips include:

• Learning how to communicate effectively with your child.
• Reaching out to professionals when you know you need help.
• Getting the support that is necessary for both your child and your family. 

Another Option for Parents

If you have tried the above steps and you know that your teen might need a bit more guidance, the team at Liahona can be of assistance. It can be challenging to come to the realization that there need to be other options presented - but in the long run, it can help get your teenage son or daughter back on the right track.  The specialists, teachers, and counselors at an academy like Liahona are like no other. The team is able to provide one-on-one and group therapy sessions, academic advancement, behavioral evaluations, exercise programs, and integration with family members (to name a few) to decrease the occurrence of behaviors that might be sending your child down the wrong path.  Click here to find out what sets Liahona Academy apart from other treatment centers, as well as a glimpse of what you can expect from this type of institution in order to better your child’s health, future, and well-being.